Astron physicist Neil Tyson walks in the footsteps of Carl Sagan on planetary radio. Terry Radio. Matt Kaplan back from a vacation that included New York City where I got to talk to Dr.

Neil degrass Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium.

We'll visit with him in just a couple of minutes.

Of course we'll also get a what's up update from Bruce Betts

that includes his latest space trivia contest. Let's start with a quick review

of what's happening around our solar system. Dunes on the ground and clouds in the sky, just a typical winter day on

Mars where the Mars Exploration Rovers continue their treks. Spirit has found even

better evidence of once ample surface water in Guoosev Crater, while opportunity

has now added something scientists are calling popcorn to the famous blueberries it discovered

months ago.

Both probes are getting a bit cranky and lethargic in their old age,

but appear to be healthy enough for much more action.

And Mars now enjoys its own multinational communications network.

The European Space Agency's Mars Express Orbiter has received data from both of the

NASA rovers below.

This second test of UHF transmitters and receivers has paved the way for further cooperation

as still more probes head to the red planet.

Where do you go to find helicopter pilots that can snag a returning spacecraft out of midair,

well, NASA went to Hollywood. High over Utah on September 8th,

two so-called stunt pilots will attempt to grab the sample return capsule drop back to Earth from the Genesis spacecraft.

Scientists are anxious to open that capsule and study particles of the solar wind captured by Genesis.

And Cosmos 1, the Planetary Society's Solar Sail, has reached another milestone.

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