Although we have imaged Blackcraig and Maringma previously, these new images will add to the dataset, allowing investigation of the structures from all angles. We can also focus images on features of interest, zooming in for a closer look. These datasets will be pored over for years to come... and not just because the Mastcam images are so incredibly beautiful!
With the priority on imaging, we kept our science requests to a very bare minimum, with no ChemCam in this plan. This allowed some wiggle time for APXS and MAHLI starting times, so they are doing an early morning Touch and Go (i.e., short integration before we drive) on "Colla Firth," on a small slab of rock in front of us.
Mastcam will be taking some mid-drive imaging of rover wheel tracks, made as we passed this way on the way up to the pediment, about 70 sols ago. This novel activity will help us assess the rates at which sand is moving at ground level, over a two month period. ENV are also assessing dust movement, through "tau observations" to assess the rates at which dust is moving right now through the atmosphere.
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, is Copyright 1995-2026 Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principles for news reporting and research purposes. |
