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NASA's Mars Exploration Program (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
Sol 3899: Deep Impact!
The images for panorama obtained by the rover's 34-millimeter Mast Camera. The mosaic, which stretches about 30,000 pixels width, includes 129 images taken on Sol 3899 (July 25, 2023). A set of scientific instruments mounted on the end of the Robotic Arm was photoshopped from previous shoots.
Despite the significant time and power resources required to accomplish the imaging, we were still able to squeeze in some chemical analyses and close-up imaging of the rocks within the crater rim. ChemCam will analyze the laminated bedrock target, “Aire de Repos,” which will also be documented with Mastcam. APXS will acquire compositional data on the dark, vertical face of an upturned block (“Guainia”), and MAHLI will take close-up images of this target and a differentially eroded, laminated bedrock fragment, “Mocambo.” To continue monitoring changes in the atmosphere, we will also acquire a Navcam large dust devil survey and line of sight, single frame image. Once we have completed all our targeted science observations, Curiosity will hopefully execute another successful drive to take us towards our next area of interest at the base of the Gediz Vallis ridge (stay tuned to hear more about this interesting feature as we get closer). Once the drive has executed, we will take images of the new terrain beneath the rover with MARDI. Standard REMS, DAN and RAD activities round out this plan. Written by Lucy Thompson Other panoramas of Mars by Curiosity rover:
The rover engineers yet again did a fantastic job navigating Curiosity through this tricky terrain of fractured blocks and sand. Our parking spot is on the rim of one of the larger craters within a cluster of craters that we have been driving towards for the last few weeks. A number of people on our science team advocated for visiting these craters to learn more about the cratering process on Mars. They are interested in variations in shape and morphology of the craters, the amount of degredation and erosion, and the composition of any impactor material (if present). Sadly, there were no obvious meteorites in our workspace and this plan focused on capturing the view of the craters and surrounding terrain. We are taking a 360° Mastcam mosaic, as well as smaller, higher resolution mosaics of the two largest craters within the cluster.
Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick
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Welcome to Earth! It's a planet having an iron core, with two-thirds of its surface covered by water. Earth orbits a local star called the Sun, the light of which generates the food supply for all the millions of species of life on earth. The dominant species on Earth is the human being, and you're one of the six billion of them! Humans have iron in their blood, and their bodies are composed of two-thirds water, just like the planet they live on. The physical composition of the Earth, its people and everything on it contains an electro-magnetic field which is not yet fully understood. Theories and legends about the origin of Earth, people and life itself abound, however they are not commonly discussed. The bulk of earth's people spend their time immersed in daily activities, leaving the big questions for later. "Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? How will we get there?" Many religions and philosophies have attempted to answer these questions over the years, but so far none has given an answer that everyone on the planet can accept. In contrast to all the disagreement, the similarities among people on earth are far, far greater than any differences. Welcome again to Earth! Enjoy your stay, and try to stay calm.
