Tag Archives: Pahrump Hills

Curiosity: Back near Whale Rock

Posted on February 18, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 901, February 17, 2015. The rover has moved back to the vicinity of Whale Rock, seen at top center in this six-frame Navcam composite. (Click the image to load a larger version in a new tab.) Sol 901 raw … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Long weekend, long plan’

Posted on February 17, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 899-902, February 13, 2015, update from USGS Scientist Ryan Anderson: Today we planned 4 sols to take the rover through President’s day weekend. We humans get a long weekend, but the rover has a lot of work to do! … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Taking a look around

Posted on February 13, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 896, February 12, 2015. Still on the Pahrump Hills outcrop but on the way to its next drill site near Whale Rock, the rover’s Navcam shot this six-frame half-panorama looking to the east. North is at the left side … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘…The next drill target’

Posted on February 12, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 896-898, February 11, 2015, update from USGS Scientist Lauren Edgar: After completing our drilling activities at the Pink Cliffs outcrop, Curiosity is ready to move on to the next location. But where to drill? We’re searching for something that … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Characterizing the Mojave2 dump pile

Posted on February 12, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 895, February 11, 2015. After sieving the drill sample from Mojave2, the rover dumped the leftover sample on the ground so the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) could examine closely the size and texture of the dumped material. The … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘…Coolest job in the world’

Posted on February 10, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 894-895, February 9, 2015, update from USGS Scientist Lauren Edgar: The planning day kicked off to a great start, with the SOWG Chair (Aileen Yingst) reminding us that we do have the coolest job in the world. I’m the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Front view, rear view

Posted on February 9, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 892, February 8, 2015. With the instrument arm engaged above Curiosity’s deck, the front and rear Hazcams (both right-side) record nearly unobstructed views ahead (top) and behind. Mt. Sharp stands at top center in the forward view, while part … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Sample transfer to SAM’

Posted on February 6, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 891-893, February 6, 2015, update from USGS Scientist Lauren Edgar: The three-sol plan will keep Curiosity very busy this weekend.  The main activities in this plan include dropping off part of the Mojave2 drill sample to the SAM instrument, … Continue reading →

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Curiosity takes second bite of Mt. Sharp

Posted on February 6, 2015 by rburnham

The second bite of a Martian mountain taken by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover hints at long-ago effects of water that was more acidic than any evidenced in the rover’s first taste of Mount Sharp, a layered rock record of ancient … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘CheMin analysis’

Posted on February 6, 2015 by rburnham

Sol 890, February 5, 2015, update from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: MSL’s batteries are almost fully charged, so the Sol 890 plan includes another CheMin measurement of the ‘Mojave2′ drill sample.  CheMin and SAM require more power than the other … Continue reading →

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