Sols 1095-1098: Laboring away in the Stimson…

4 September 2015

As many of us in the U.S. take a break over Labor Day weekend, Curiosity will be keeping busy by using every instrument in her science payload! Curiosity is currently making her way towards Bridger Basin and studying the Stimson unit along the way.

The weekend 4-sol plan is packed with exciting science. On Sol 1095, we’ll acquire ChemCam and Mastcam on the targets “Bullwacker,” “Damnation,” and ldquo;Bootlegger,” to assess the chemistry of some of the bright bands along fractures and unaltered bedrock. We’ll also take some Mastcam mosaics to investigate the local geology. In the evening, SAM will run a diagnostic test, and CheMin will dump the Buckskin sample and analyze an empty cell to prepare for analysis of a future drill sample. On Sol 1096, Curiosity will take it easy, and the science activities mostly just involve standard RAD and REMS observations. Things pick up again on Sol 1097, with another science block full of ChemCam and Mastcam on “Hell_Creek,” and “Sober_Up_Creek” (yes, these are real names of features near Arlee, Montana!) and additional Mastcam mosaics to investigate the stratigraphy and sedimentary structures. Then we’ll use MAHLI to check out the REMS UV sensor, followed by MAHLI on the target “Conniption,” as well as several DAN Passive observations. Overnight, Curiosity will acquire APXS on “Conniption.” On Sol 1098, Curiosity will drive for ~35 m, followed by post-drive imaging to prepare for targeting next week, and an evening MARDI image to assess the ground beneath the rover. Finally, on the morning of Sol 1099, Curiosity will take several Mastcam and Navcam observations to monitor the atmosphere. Phew!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team.