Tag Archives: Pahrump Hills

Curiosity update: Crystal balls may show the future, but gypsum crystals tell us about the past

[Ed note: Post by MSL scientist Abigail Fraeman, NASA/JPL] As Curiosity continues to mend, I’ve been looking forward to our next drill sample of gray rock. Some interesting features we’ve seen on Vera Rubin Ridge are small “swallowtail crystals” often … Continue reading

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Potassium-argon dating of Mojave2 sample by Curiosity finds Amazonian-age jarosite

On the basis of studies of impact crater densities on Mars’s surface, scientists have separated the Red Planet’s geologic history into three broad divisions, the most recent of which is the Amazonian epoch. Because of the lack of available samples … Continue reading

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Take a walk on Mars — from home

When NASA scientists want to follow the path of the Curiosity rover on Mars, they can don a mixed-reality headset and virtually explore the Martian landscape. Starting today, everyone can get a taste of what that feels like. NASA’s Jet … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: ‘Back at Missoula’

Sol 1068-1070, August 7, 2015, update from USGS scientist Lauren Edgar: Curiosity had a successful drive of 19 m on Sol 1067, and we are currently back at Missoula for more targeted science.  The goal is to perform a detailed … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: ‘Lots of contact science!’

Sol 1032, July 1, 2015, update from USGS scientist Ryan Anderson: Phew! Today was a busy day on Mars! Ken and I were both on operations today, picking up where Lauren left off yesterday. Ken was helping with ChemCam science … Continue reading

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Curiosity studies rock-layer contact zone

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover is examining a valley where at least two types of bedrock meet, for clues about changes in ancient environmental conditions recorded by the rock. In addition to two rock types for which this site was chosen, … Continue reading

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Curiosity: At the contact

Sol 1030, June 30, 2015. The Navcam shoots part of Curiosity’s surroundings in Marias Pass, ending up (right side) at the contact between the Pahrump (light tone, lower) and overlying Stimson units. Below are two ChemCam composite closeups showing mineral … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: ‘Contact science at Marias Pass’

Sol 998, May 27, 2015, update from USGS scientist Lauren Edgar: A short bump on Sol 997 put Curiosity in a great position to investigate a few different rock units in Marias Pass, using the instruments on the rover’s arm. … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: ‘Long weekend at Marias Pass’

Sol 993-996, May 22, 2015, update from USGS scientist Lauren Edgar: On Sol 992 Curiosity took a short drive into Marias Pass to get a better look at the terrain ahead.  The 6 m drive on Sol 992 brought our … Continue reading

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Curiosity making tracks and observations

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover is continuing science observations while on the move this month. On April 16, the mission passed 10 kilometers (6.214 miles) of total driving since its 2012 landing, including about a fifth of a mile (310 meters) … Continue reading

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