Tag Archives: Murray Buttes

Curiosity update: I’ll take the Quela to go, please!

Posted on September 4, 2018 by rburnham

Sols 2157-58, September 3, 2018, update by MSL scientist Brittney Cooper: Today in Gale Crater, Curiosity begins with a short (but sweet) science block that utilizes ChemCam, Mastcam, and Navcam to observe the Martian surface and atmosphere. We start off … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Looking for a new drill site

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 2126, July 30, 2018. Having struck out at two drill sites, Curiosity’s scientists are seeking a new one, sending the rover on a 68-meter (224-foot) drive westward along the ridge top. The Navcam composite above shows the post-drive view … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: How far we’ve come

Posted on October 17, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1848-49, October 17, 2017, update by MSL scientist Lauren Edgar: Today felt like any other planning day: a straightforward plan involving remote sensing, a drive, post-drive imaging, and some untargeted observations on the second sol. Just a typical day … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Northern view and ridgeline

Posted on September 7, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1807, September 5, 2017. Six Navcam frames make a composite looking generally north over the lower slopes of Vera Rubin Ridge, the Murray Buttes, the Bagnold Dunes, and the floor of Gale Crater extending to the rim which is … Continue reading →

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Discovery of boron on Mars adds to evidence for habitability

Posted on September 6, 2017 by rburnham

Boron compounds play role in stabilizing sugars needed to make RNA, a key to life. The discovery of boron on Mars gives scientists more clues about whether life could have ever existed on the planet, according to a paper published … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Looking back — and ahead

Posted on August 29, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1799, August 28, 2017. Curiosity’s Navcam looks back toward the north and shows how far up the slope of Mt. Sharp the rover has driven. The low, dark mesas in the middle distance are the Murray Buttes, which rose … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Mastcam looks southeast

Posted on March 22, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1643, March 21, 2017. The Mastcam (using its 34-mm lens) shot a five-frame composite looking southeast. On the left it catches a few outlier Murray Buttes, then captures layered rocks near and far. Click the image (5 MB) to … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Another touch and go

Posted on October 6, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1482-83, October 5, 2016, update by USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: MSL drove another 35 meters on Sol 1480, stopping at a location with a layered bedrock exposure right in front of the rover.  So the tactical planning team decided … Continue reading →

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Curiosity begins next Mars chapter

Posted on October 3, 2016 by rburnham

After collecting drilled rock powder in arguably the most scenic landscape yet visited by a Mars rover, NASA’s Curiosity mobile laboratory is driving toward uphill destinations as part of its two-year mission extension that commenced Oct. 1. The destinations include … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Outlook, fore and aft

Posted on September 27, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1473, September 27, 2016. After all the recent driving, including 16 meters (53 feet) today, Curiosity is now well away from the Murray Buttes seen in the rear Hazcam view, below right. Meanwhile, at near right, the front Hazcam … Continue reading →

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