MARS: CURIOSITY u krateru GALE

Sol 1216: Looking forward to sampling and scuffing

6 January 2016
On Sol 1215, Curiosity drove 67 m toward the Namib Dune sampling location.  The desired location is visible in the middle of the above Navcam image.  Today’s plan includes another drive to get into position for sampling and “scuffing” (using a rover wheel to dig a small transect in the sand).  Science activities today include ChemCam and Mastcam observations to monitor the composition and opacity of the atmosphere, and a Mastcam observation to search for sand movement.  Then we’ll drive to within 5-6 m of the intended sampling location, and take post-drive imaging to prepare for a final bump tomorrow.  I’ll be on duty tomorrow and Friday, so I’m getting excited for the upcoming sampling and scuffing activities!
By Lauren Edgar
--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team.

Mozaik ChemCam -rub kratera promjera cca 4 km, koji je udaljen  cca 30 km od trenutne pozicije. 

Laserska spektroskopija...

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CV94FxeU4AA5f7P.mp4

Sol 1230-1231: Getting the scoop at Namib Dune

20 January 2016


Our campaign to analyze “Namib Dune” continues! In the sol 1230-1231 plan the main event is dropping off some sand in the SAM instrument, but some of the other instruments got a workout too. The sol 1230 plan originally included a science block with some ChemCam, Mastcam, and Navcam observations, but unfortunately that had to be cut to save power, so those observations will have to happen over the weekend. With the science block removed, the first activity on sol 1230 is a Mastcam observation of the SAM inlet. After this, the rover will drop off a sample of sand for SAM to analyze. Then while the arm is active MAHLI will observe the dump piles, including some night-time observations using the built-in LEDs to illuminate the piles.  APXS also has a couple of overnight measurements on two of the dump piles.
 On Sol 1231, we will start off with some Navcam and Hazcam images to document where APXS was making its measurements, plus Mastcam observations of the SAM inlet again. This will be followed by some arm activities to clean out the components of the sample handling system. Then we'll dive back in and collect another scoop of material from the dune, sieve it, and deliver it to SAM too. Finally, APXS will be placed on another of our dump piles for an overnight measurement. And of course REMS and DAN will be collecting data each sol of the plan as usual.
by Ryan Anderson
-Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL.

Sols 1237-1238: CHIMRA Diagnostics

27 January 2016

The cause of the CHIMRA anomaly is still being investigated, so no arm motion was planned today while diagnostic testing continues.  Because only remote science observations are allowed, it was a straightforward day for me as SOWG Chair and for the rest of the tactical science team.  The only challenge was that the volume of data expected to be received in time for planning on Friday is less than usual because MRO is performing some planned maintenance this week and cannot relay data from MSL.  Fortunately, it looks like we will be able to get all the critical data via the Mars Odyssey orbiter.

In addition to the CHIMRA diagnostic tests on Sol 1237, ChemCam and Mastcam will image the alluvial fan northeast of the rover, at the base of the Gale crater wall.  Mastcam and Navcam will also take stereo images of the edge of the area disturbed by the wheel scuff, named "Mniszechis Vlei."  I don't know how to pronounce that name, and didn't even try!

The command to allow SAM to analyze the sample of dune sand was not received, so we'll try again overnight between Sols 1237 and 1238.  Then during the day on Sol 1238 ChemCam will observe the sky and continue checking out new software that will allow autonomous ChemCam targeting.  Mastcam change detection observations of the sand dune are also sprinkled throughout the plan.  Finally, just after sunset the RMI will take images of the sky for instrument calibration.  We have been trying to plan this observation for weeks, and were glad to be able to include it in today's plan.

by Ken Herkenhoff