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The following are raw, unprocessed pictures from the planet Mars, taken by the Phoenix lander. I have to say, taken together, these photographs are artwork. I’d proudly have these on my living room wall. The shapes and textures are fantastic.

Lower right is the foot of the Phoenix lander, touched down on Martian soil. It’s a Neil Armstrong shot sure to warm the joints of robots everywhere.

Up top is the view the Phoenix lander has of the planet Mars. The patterns in the soil are going to be of good interest to geologists and climatologists for some time to come. At first, the wavelike ridges in the soil seem to be made by a wind, but then I’m reminded of the way that alternating cold and then warm temperatures can cause potholes, and I wonder if that’s part of the explanation.

In the lower left-hand corner is a positive message for the Phoenix team and for all humanity. The solar power panels for the lander appear to be extended and operational. The same should be true for every human house back here on Earth.

For more up-to-date information, visit the Phoenix Lander project site.