Sol 1243, February 3, 2016, update from USGS scientist Lauren Edgar: The contact science activities on Sol 1242 were successful, which completed our investigation at the Namib Dune sampling location. I love the above Navcam image, which shows just how close we were able to get MAHLI to the dump piles, followed by the really high-resolution MAHLI image! Now it’s time to leave Namib Dune and head off in search of the next drill location.
I was the GSTL today, and it was a pretty straightforward day. Due to additional CHIMRA diagnostics, there wasn’t much time for additional science. The plan includes turning and backing up to allow a DAN active measurement over the dune sampling location. In the geology theme group, we focused our attention on post-drive imaging, to prepare for the possibility of contact science or drilling in an upcoming plan… [More at link]