Tag Archives: Curiosity

Curiosity update: Taking our time for science

Posted on March 13, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1991-92, March 12, 2018, update by MSL scientist Ryan Anderson: After a successful weekend plan, the team decided that for the sol 1991-1992 plan, we would trade a longer-distance drive in favor of some “touch and go” contact science. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Driving on

Posted on March 12, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1989, March 11, 2018. Curiosity took another drive to the northeast (42 meters or 138 feet) along the top of Vera Rubin Ridge, followed by a swivel turn in place. The Navcam image at right was taken before the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Stop and smell the argon

Posted on March 12, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1988-90, March 12, 2018, update by MSL scientist Ryan Anderson: We found out this morning that in the Sol 1986 plan, ChemCam was marked as “sick” and did not run its sequences. But on the bright side, it’s a … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Running the ridge top, looking far

Posted on March 9, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1986, March 8, 2018. This day saw a 46-meter (150-foot) drive by Curiosity, again in the northeast direction along the top of Vera Rubin Ridge. The composite view above shows the end-of-drive position looking ahead in the same direction. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Clear vistas on Mars

Posted on March 8, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1986, March 8, 2018, update by MSL scientist Roger Wiens: Seasons make a big difference for Mars vistas. Tosol Mars is at solar longitude 139, meaning that it is halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox in the southern … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: After the drive…

Posted on March 8, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1985, March 7, 2018. In two drives on this sol, Curiosity traveled in reverse to the northeast a distance of about 29 meters (95 feet). The Navcam composite above was taken after the drive was complete. It shows (near … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Tough rock, and the Phyllosilicate Trough, part 2

Posted on March 7, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1984, March 6, 2018. Tough rock ended Curiosity’s second drilling attempt, which produced only a shallow hole and a small tailings pile, seen in the MAHLI image above. At right, a Hazcam image shows both Lake Orcadie drill holes. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: How hard is a rock?

Posted on March 7, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1985, March 6, 2018, update by MSL scientist Roger Wiens: Last week when the first Vera Rubin Ridge drill-hole attempts turned out to be too shallow at “Lake Orcadie”, discussion in the team turned to the question of, “How … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Searching for softer pastures

Posted on March 6, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1984, March 5, 2018, update by MSL scientist Scott Guzewich: Vera Rubin Ridge is as hard as a rock! After two drilling attempts, Curiosity’s drill was not able to dig into the bedrock sufficiently to collect a sample of … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Drill tailings and Phyllosilicate Trough outcrops

Posted on March 5, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1981, March 3, 2018. Curiosity aimed the ChemCam’s Remote Micro-Imager into the Phyllosilicate Trough to document outcrops that may become future targets. At right, a Hazcam image from Sol 1983 (March 5) showing the drill tailing piles from Lake … Continue reading →

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