Curiosity update: Go SAM, go!

FRB_610103177EDR_F0751398FHAZ00341M_-br2Sols 2397-99, May 3, 2019, update by MSL scientist Kristen Bennett: The first round of SAM experiments was successful, so in the weekend plan we get to move forward with the GCMS (Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer) experiment. First, additional sample will be delivered to SAM. Then the sample will be heated and analyzed. This is exciting because we decided to drill the Kilmarie target after the Aberlady drill hole did not yield enough material for us to be confident that there would be enough sample for SAM. With the first SAM experiment complete and the second experiment in the weekend plan, things are looking good so far at the Kilmarie drill hole.

In addition to the SAM experiment, ChemCam is going to be busy this weekend. ChemCam will target “River Spey,” a light-toned vein near the drill hole, and “Rothes,” a small block that exhibits laminations. Finally, ChemCam will re-target “Tiffany.” Tiffany is a pebble that was targeted earlier this week, but we missed by a little bit because it is such a small target. Since we are sitting in the same location for a while during the drill campaign, ChemCam has the opportunity to redo this observation, now called “Tiffany 2.” Mastcam will take documentation images of each of the ChemCam targets… [More at link]

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HiRISE: Layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis

ESP_054842_2100-2Layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis. The objective of this observation is to examine layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis. Layers are especially evident in buttes next to a crater. Many fine networks of ridges may be inverted terrain.

HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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Curiosity: Looking near and far

2394-navcam12394-rmiSol 2394, May 1, 2019. Curiosity’s Navcam looked ahead down the Glen Torridon “valley” toward Mt. Sharp, with Vera Rubin Ridge forming the skyline at left.

At right is a four-frame composite by the Remote Micro-Imager on targets not far away. Click either image to enlarge it.

Sol 2394 raw images (from all cameras).

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THEMIS: South polar cap at summer’s end

South polar ice cap layers (THEMIS_IOTD_20190503)THEMIS Image of the Day, May 3, 2019. This VIS image shows part of the south polar cap. The cap is comprised of layers of ice and dust deposited over millions of years. This image was collected at the end of local summer.

Explore more THEMIS Images of the Day by geological subject.

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HiRISE: Incipient chaos

ESP_054833_1820Incipient chaos. The objective of this observation is to examine a possible early stage of chaos formation. The ground seems to be collapsing, forming mesas and a large channel that connects with Shalbatana Vallis.

HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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Curiosity update: Powering through

2381MR0126530011002100E01_DXXX-br2Sols 2395-96, May 2, 2019, update by MSL scientist Michelle Minitti: The drop off of “Kilmarie” drill sample to SAM on Sol 2293 appeared to be successful, but we will not get the full results of the SAM analysis until later today. The results are needed to help determine if we will dive even further into the volatile and organic makeup of the Kilmarie sample. There was no sitting around and twiddling actuators, however, even though the amount of power available was limited. Curiosity will gather more details about the Kilmarie sample mineralogy via another CheMin integration, and also pepper a suite of broken up bedrock fragments around the rover – “Deinabo,” “Durnhill,” and “Dumyat” – with ChemCam shots to compare their chemistry to that of the more-coherent bedrock that… [More at link]

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THEMIS: Slopes and dunes of Sisyphi Cavi

Sisyphi Cavi (THEMIS_IOTD_20190502)THEMIS Image of the Day, May 2, 2019. This VIS image shows part of Sisyphi Cavi located in Noachis Terra near the south polar cap.

Cavi are defined as steep sided depressions. Gullies dissect the cliff tops and dunes are found on the floors of the depressions.

Explore more THEMIS Images of the Day by geological subject.

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Latest weather at Gale Crater and Elysium Planitia

Daily Elysium charts and data (temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure) here.

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Curiosity update: Putting the L in MSL

NRB_609583134EDR_S0751398NCAM00595M_-br2Sols 2393-94, April 29, 2019, update by MSL scientist Ryan Anderson: Today’s main activities use the “laboratory” instruments SAM and CheMin inside of Curiosity to analyze some of the powder from the Kilmarie drill hole. SAM will do an Evolved Gas Analysis, which involves heating the sample and measuring the gases that are generated, and CheMin will do its usual analysis, shining x-rays through the sample to determine what minerals are present. Power was on the low side today, and initially we thought there wouldn’t be much of a chance to do other science, but our resourceful team was able to fit two small science blocks into the plan.

On sol 2393 the afternoon science block is dedicated to atmospheric observations. Navcam will watch for dust devils and clouds, and Mastcam will look at the sun and the sky to figure out how much dust is in the atmosphere and what its properties are.

On Sol 2394, Navcam will do two more dust devil surveys, and then ChemCam will take over. ChemCam will do a passive (no laser) observation of the Kilmarie drill tailings, and then will zap two bedrock targets, “Tolmount” and “Tiffany,” to continue to document the variable bedrock chemistry in the area. Mastcam will then take a picture documenting the two ChemCam targets… [More at link]

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HiRISE: Layers along a channel in Arabia Terra

ESP_054844_2155Layers along a channel in Arabia Terra. The objective of this observation is to examine a set of dipping layers along the west wall of a channel. We are also able to see layers in the east wall of the channel.

HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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