Happy Christmas on Mars!

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla

2009/12/24 10:42 CST

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This was so cute I had to repost it -- and record it too. This was posted to unmannedspaceflight.com this morning by forum member Astro0.

Prefer to listen than read? Here's an mp3 recording of "Happy Christmas on Mars" (2MB)
and if you'd like higher-quality audio, here's a 28MB wav file of the same)

by Astro0

(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore or possibly Henry Livingston Jr.)

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the stars
ot a creature was stirring, not even on Mars.
he rovers were driven by drivers with care,
n hopes new discoveries would soon be found there.

Earth children were nestled all snug in their beds,
hile visions of dust devils danced in their heads.
ith Oppy at Marquette, and Spirit in a sandtrap,
e just had to settle our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the dunes there arose such a clatter,
nd Odyssey watched to see what was the matter.
ll the way to Earth, flew a new data flash,
PL opened the files and threw out the trash.

The fines on the rovers from new-fallen dust
ave the objects below the colour of rust.
hen, what to my computer screen should appear,
ut a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
ore rapid than rockets his coursers they came,
nd he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Viking! now, Phoenix! now, Pathfiner and Sojourner!
n, Rockets! On, Airbags! on,