Goodbye, Mars Global Surveyor?

The Mars Global Surveyor, in orbit around Mars longer than any other probe, hasn't phoned home in a few days. JPL is worried but not unduly so.

This might be the end for a probe that never got the attention the Mars rovers have, but that increased our knowledge of the Red Planet greatly. And like many of JPL's probes, it lasted a good deal onger than it was supposed to. Some people points to the failures and wonder how we could have failed. I point at the successes and marvel at how much we can do.

I hope it's not the end, but if it is, here's to you, MGS!

We Go To Eleven

My brother and sister-in-law just had a baby girl!!!! I am sure her two sisters are thrilled.

That makes eleven nieces and nephews for Batya and me (4 boys, 7 girls).

Dark Tower Comic Book Details

Here is the solicitation for the first issue of Marvel's Dark Tower comic book, coming in February:

DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN #1 (of 7)
Written by PETER DAVID & ROBIN FURTH
Art and Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Sketch Variant Cover by JAE LEE
Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA
“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” With those words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King’s Roland—an implacable gunslinger in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, powering his way through a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic. Now, in a comic book personally overseen by King himself, Roland’s past is revealed! Sumptuously drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by long-time Stephen King expert Robin Furth (author of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: A Concordance) and scripted by New York Times Best-seller Peter David, this series delves deep into Roland’s origins—the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world, while long-time fans will thrill to adventures merely hinted at in the novels. Be there for the very beginning of a modern classic of fantasy literature!
48 PGS./CARDSTOCK COVER/Parental Advisory …$3.99
©2007 Stephen King. All rights reserved.

A quick Google reveals that Robin Furth is not only an expert on King but also his research assistant. I'm still not sure what to expect from this three-headed authorial beast, or from PAD putting words in Roland's mouth, but it sounds very promising. And it's going to look great.