NASA probe returns baffling image of footprint on Mars

London, June 2 : NASA's Phoenix Mars lander, that touched down the surface of the Red Planet on May 26, have returned an extraordinary image of what appears to be a footprint in the alien landscape.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, though the image has baffled net surfers, scientists overseeing the project have said that the Phoenix Mars lander's robotic arm reached out the day before and left an impression that resembled a footprint.

They have said that it is the first step in a series of actions that will provide soil and ice for the lander's experiments.

The robotic arm camera also took images of what is believed to be exposed ice under the lander.

The University of Arizona in Tucson, US, is leading the mission, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory managing it.

ANI