Sols 3357-3360: Edging Closer and Closer to Panari

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:31:26 GMT
Space Daily

Pasadena CA (JPL) Jan 19, 2022 We continue to document rocks similar to what we saw at "The Prow,"...

We continue to document rocks similar to what we saw at "The Prow," a dark appearing rock outcrop with amazing sedimentary structures and details.

In our last plan, we edged towards the inclined rock in the front right corner of the image, ending on some flatter rock a safe distance back.

This end of drive allows the Rover Planners to vet the inclined rock, finding the optimal location to place us for up close contact science after a short "Bump" or drive on the third sol of this plan.

GEO has a lot of work to do! First we will document the flatlying rock underneath us.

The target "Chimata" in front of the rover will be brushed to clear the dust and then analyzed by both APXS and Mastcam.

This material is a somewhat paler colour than The Prow and the inclined rocks at Panari, so we are investigating to see if the tonal differences are reflected in the composition.

ChemCam will use the LIBS instrument to target two smaller targets and the Mastcam targets "Auyan" and "Uei" look at sand movement overlying fractures and along the side of flatlying bedrock.

ChemCam will also target the inclined block with LIBS and its imaging tool, whilst Mastcam will image a similar block "Quino" a bit further in the distance.

SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter$5 Billed Monthly paypal only Newly discovered carbon may yield clues to ancient Mars University Park PA Jan 18, 2022.

Analysis of carbon isotopes in sediment samples taken from half a dozen exposed locations, including an exposed cliff, leave researchers with three plausible explanations for the carbon's origin - cosmic dust, ultraviolet degradation of carbon dioxide, or ultraviolet degradation of biologically produced methane.