Sols 905-907: Testing "Telegraph Peak"

20 February 2015

The latest "bump" placed the rover in a good position for detailed study of the outcrop of interest, as we all hoped. The plan that will take the rover through the weekend is, in the words of the SOWG Chair Doug Ming, "jam-packed" with science observations. The MSL tactical team is focused on examination of an outcrop target called "Telegraph Peak" to determine whether it is suitable for drilling. On Sol 905, MAHLI will take pictures of Telegraph Peak before it is cleaned off by the brush. Mastcam and ChemCam will then observe the brushed target before the arm is used to acquire a full suite of MAHLI images, two APXS measurements, and test the strength of the target by pushing the drill assembly against it. Finally, the APXS will be placed on Telegraph Peak again for overnight integrations. In parallel, starting around midnight, SAM will perform a static test of its quadrupole mass spectrometer.

The next morning, the arm will be moved out of the way to allow ChemCam and Mastcam observations of nearby targets "Brazer" and "Crazy Hollow." Later in the afternoon, when lighting will be better for some distant targets, Mastcam will acquire a couple of mosaics. Just after sunset, now that the rover is in a new location, MARDI will acquire an image of the ground near the left front wheel. Only a few activities are planned for Sol 907, including another Mastcam mosaic and a Navcam search for dust devils, to allow the rover's batteries to recharge in preparation for possible drilling on Sol 908.