NPR

Mars Dust Storm Now 'Planet-Encircling,' Dimming Hopes For NASA Rover

As the dust storm grows and the solar-paneled Opportunity remains asleep, the younger Curiosity rover has been able to power through.

Opportunity, phone home!

NASA scientists are still holding out hope they will hear from the surprisingly long-lived Mars rover. It went into snooze mode earlier this month, thanks to a gargantuan dust storm that's blocking beams from reaching the solar panels that recharge the rover's batteries.

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