Hello Friend,

The late Professor Collin Pillinger, sat at his dinner table with all the usual fixings, on Christmas day, Dec 19th 2003
awaiting confirmation of the landing of the Mars lander, the Beagle 2.

Alas, that did not happen.

The Beagle 2, was named after the HMS Beagle, the famed ship of Captain Charles Darwin,
and was thus named by the good professors wife.

      Scientists thought that perhaps the probe might have broken up on impact;  landing on
a rocky service can be quite tricky!

Sadly, the Professor passed away last year, after enduring several years of ridicule and criticism
by the public, without now knowing what might have really happened.

Seems, the Beagle 2 did land, very close to target. However, an unfortunate bounce, may
have prevented it from deploying.

     The images were actually take by Nasa's orbiter in 2013 of the rubbish bin (garbage bin) shaped
lander, and while it appears the one parachute deployed, it's likely one of the motors failed.
Also, two of the four solar panels failed to open.

In retrospect, I think it is fair to say the mission was a success to some degree.

      Perhaps inspiration for the 3rd mars lander to be sent, by the Brits?

Something they can ponder and think about over a Guinness beer, and a Steak and kidney pie, Friend.

Clear Skies,

Ray Khan

PS Thanks to many of you who responded to our 25% Televue display sale offer this pass weekend.It was a smashing success.
      All available telescopes sold out pretty quickly.