Sol 4253-4254: Rest Station for Contact Science

Earth Project Date: Monday, July 22, 2024

Last week we ended Fairview Dome We then began heading south to the next potential drilling site in the Upper Gediz Valley Ridge Movement. We covered approximately 29 meters (about 95 feet) over the weekend, which prepared us for today’s contact science and remote sensing research.

Today’s two-day plan includes APXS and MAHLI measurements of a gray rock called “Discovery Pinnacle” to assess changes in bedrock chemistry and compare it to what we have seen recently. We also plan to use ChemCam LIBS on “Miguel Meadow” to assess typical bedrock in our work area, as shown above, in an image from the forward Hazard Camera. The plan also includes a Mastcam mosaic covering a large area of ​​light-colored rock in front of the rover to look for lithological changes. There are also plans to use two ChemCam Long-Range RMIs to assess the strata exposed by a channel cut into the sediments of the Gediz Vallis Ridge and to take a closer look at a well-laminated dark boulder at the bottom of the channel. Curiosity will then drive about 16 meters (about 52 feet) to the south and will take images from the drive to help us evaluate another area of ​​light-colored bedrock in our next plan.

In addition to targeted remote sensing, today’s program includes observations of atmospheric opacity, searches for dust devils, autonomously selected ChemCam AEGIS targets, and standard DAN and REMS activities.

We’re all curious about what the workspace will look like on Wednesday as we start thinking about where to drill next! In the meantime, much of the science team is gathering in Pasadena, California this week for the 10th International Mars Conference to share the many exciting results from the mission so far. Looking forward to what’s next!

By: Dr. Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center