During Sol 1173, the Curiosity rover made significant progress by driving 51 meters closer to the Bagnold Dunes. As the Geology Science Theme Lead, my primary focus is on planning for today’s activities. The plan for today includes a short science block, a drive towards the dunes, post-drive imaging, and some untargeted science activities in the afternoon.
The main goal for today is to closely monitor the dunes and document the bedrock that we encounter along the way. To achieve this, we will begin the day with Mastcam observations to monitor two of the dunes as well as a small sandsheet directly in our path. After these observations, we will proceed with the drive and acquire post-drive imaging to prepare for targeting activities that will take place tomorrow.
In addition to these activities, we will utilize the Navcam to observe the atmosphere and search for dust devils. We will also take Mastcam mosaics to monitor the dunes and bedrock under different lighting conditions. This information will help us determine the best time of day to image these features during our Bagnold Dune campaign. By closely monitoring these areas, we hope to gather valuable data that will enhance our understanding of this unique Martian terrain.
Overall, our team is excited about this weekend’s progress and looks forward to continuing our exploration of Mars in Sol 1173!