Tag Archives: Stimson Formation

Curiosity update: Nodules: take 2

Posted on March 11, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1278, March 10, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ryan Anderson: Our APXS observation of the nodules in yesterday’s plan didn’t go exactly as planned: it was slightly misaligned with the nodule we were trying to analyze, so the measurement … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Nodules!

Posted on March 11, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1277, March 9, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ryan Anderson: Our drive yesterday was a success, putting us right on the contact between the “Murray” and “Stimson” units, and in reach of some very interesting nodules. The plan today … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: At the Murray-Stimson contact

Posted on March 9, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1276, March 9, 2016. Curiosity has climbed onto the top of the Murray Formation’s rocks and parked on the contact with the darker Stimson Formation. The latter is made of thin layers of sandstone or shale with cross-bedding that … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Interesting veins and textures

Posted on March 8, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1275-76, March 8, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ryan Anderson: The weekend drive went well, and put us in a great location for some contact science, right near the contact between the “Murray” and “Stimson” formations, with some interesting … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Stratigraphic contact ahead

Posted on March 7, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1274, March 7, 2016. As Curiosity approaches the edge of the Naukluft Plateau, it is approaching a clear-cut change in rock units. Note the darker tint of the overlying Stimson Formation (which has thin, cross-bedded layers), compared to the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Loomings

Posted on February 16, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1255, February 16, 2016. Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons to be strictly correct) looms behind the rover, as it rolls across the Murray Formation’s rocks, northwest out of the cul-de-sac between Namib Dune (seen on the left) and High Dune … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Full plan

Posted on February 13, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1253-55, February 12, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The dune sand samples were dumped onto the ground, but it appears that the sample was partly blown by the wind.  There is enough sample left to investigate with … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Dumping sand samples

Posted on February 12, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1251-52, February 11, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The short Sol 1250 drive completed successfully, placing the rover in position for contact science on the bedrock outcrop of interest.  We’re planning 2 sols today and 3 sols … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Bumping for contact science

Posted on February 11, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1250, February 10, 2016, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The Sol 1249 drive went well, leaving the rover in an area with many nice outcrops of bright bedrock.  A large outcrop, partly visible at the left side of … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Viewing northwest, southeast

Posted on February 10, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1249, February 10, 2016. Two Navcam composites show the view toward the northwest (above) and southeast of the rover. To the northwest, the view is toward the Naukluft Plateau, to the right of High Dune (at left). In the … Continue reading →

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