Tag Archives: Hidden Valley

Free access to Gale Crater lakes Science papers

Posted on October 14, 2015 by rburnham

Two of the papers published in Science (October 9, 2015) relating to the discovery of ancient lakes in Gale Crater have been posted online, with the full texts available without charge. The papers are titled: “Deposition, exhumation, and paleoclimate of … Continue reading →

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Ancient lakes indicate wet paleoclimate at Gale

Posted on October 9, 2015 by rburnham

A new study from the team behind NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity has confirmed that Mars was once, billions of years ago, capable of storing water in lakes over an extended period of time. Using data from the Curiosity rover, the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Approaching Amargosa Valley

Posted on September 3, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 738, September 3, 2014. Slabby, shaly rocks cover the Zabriskie Plateau, as Curiosity approaches the head of Amargosa Valley (three-frame composite from the rover’s Navcam). Rover drivers are hoping Amargosa will provide a better route down off the plateau … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Large crater ahead’

Posted on August 26, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 731, August 25, 2014, update on Curiosity from MSL Scientist Lauren Edgar: “Curiosity is back to driving! We are taking the high road around Hidden Valley to avoid potentially deep ripple fields, and making our way towards a large … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Rocky terrain to the west

Posted on August 25, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 729, August 25, 2014. Having given up on the too-soft sands of Hidden Valley, rover drivers now need to find a path going generally westward through the rock garden atop Zabriskie Plateau (three-frame Navcam composite). NASA description (middle image): … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Driving again’

Posted on August 22, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 728-730, August 22, 2014, update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: “After much study and discussion, the MSL team decided not to attempt to drill again into the rocks in front of the rover. On Sol 728… [More … Continue reading →

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Curiosity won’t drill Bonanza King; will drive on

Posted on August 22, 2014 by rburnham

Evaluation of a pale, flat Martian rock as the potential next drilling target for NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover determined that the rock was not stable enough for safe drilling. The rock, called “Bonanza King,” moved slightly during the mini-drill activity … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Boning up on Mars rock shapes

Posted on August 22, 2014 by rburnham

No bones about it! Seen by Mars rover Curiosity using its MastCam, this Mars rock may look like a femur thigh bone. Mission science team members think its shape is likely sculpted by erosion, either wind or water….. [More at … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Gray tailings at Bonanza King

Posted on August 22, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 726, August 22, 2014: The Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) captures the results of a percussion drill test at Bonanza King. Sol 726 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s latest location map.

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Curiosity: At Bonanza King

Posted on August 21, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 725, August 20, 2014. Exploring the “broken pavement” at Bonanza King, in the mouth of Hidden Valley, background left. NASA description: This image was taken by Front Hazcam: Right B (FHAZ_RIGHT_B) onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 725 (2014-08-20 … Continue reading →

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