Sol 1459: Characterizing the Marimba dump pile

12 September 2016

Over the weekend, Curiosity completed analyses of the “Marimba” drill sample (our previous drill target), and dumped the post-sieve sample. Today’s plan is focused on MAHLI and APXS of the dump pile, and MAHLI imaging of the CheMin inlet to prepare for drill activities at our current location at “Quela.” The plan also includes a number of remote sensing observations. We’ll start with several atmospheric monitoring activities, including a Navcam movie and Mastcam tau. Then we’ll acquire a Mastcam multispectral observation on the “Quela” DRT spot. After two ChemCam passive observations of the “Marimba” dump pile and “Quela” DRT spot, we’ll acquire ChemCam LIBS on the targets “Eenhana” and “Ombomboli” to characterize the Murray bedrock and pebbles. Then we’ll take several Mastcam mosaics to document the color, texture, grain size, and sedimentary structures in the nearby rocks.

By Lauren Edgar

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