Mars Phoenix scientists are analyzing carefully some tantalizing results from the second wet-chemistry experiment with a soil sample scooped from the Martian tundra at the beginning of July.

The testing has taken longer than expected, and may lead to more tests before the Phoenix science team is ready to announce results. An announcement of the findings could come as early as mid-August, NASA says.

The first experiment with the Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA) found that the soil could sustain life under the proper conditions. The current round with MECA also includes close study of the scooped material with the instrument's microscopes, which can resolve features as small as 10 nanometers.

While the MECA team continues to work with its second sample, scientists on the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) were hoping for a second "bake and sniff" analysis of ice-rich soil planned to be scooped into the 1,800-degree F. TEGA oven over the weekend.

NASA has tentatively scheduled a "mid-course" status report on the Phoenix mission July 31, when results of the latest TEGA run may be announced and new images released. The Phoenix team has asked for an extension of the nominal 92-sol (92 Earth-day) mission, and the outcome of that request may be revealed as well.

Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona.