The Phoenix lander is now well into its mission to study Mars. The first steps, of course, are to look around with the cameras. But, while the pretty pictures are what excite the public the most, scientists are much more excited about the other instruments on board the craft. These instruments will tell us the composition of the Martian soil. Despite many press reports that state Phoenix is looking for life on Mars, what it is really doing is looking for the chemistry necessary for life. ...