Written by Sharon Wilson Purdy, Planetary Geologist on the Smithsonian Nationwide Air and House Museum
Earth planning date: Monday, July 14, 2025
The Curiosity rover continues to navigate by way of the area of Mount Sharp characterised by the boxwork terrain. After efficiently finishing a drive of about 34 meters over the weekend (about 112 ft), the rover parked close to the sting of a clean, sandy stretch on the base of a ridge that results in probably the most distinguished and complicated community of boxwork constructions seen to date.
As a result of lack of uncovered bedrock within the fast workspace, the science workforce opted to provide among the rover’s contact science devices a break. With the mud removing instrument (DRT) and APXS devices stowed, the additional power allowed the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to take excessive decision photos of “Playa de la Gallina” to survey the uniform, clean floor consisting of sand and pebble-sized materials.
The ChemCam and Mastcam groups scheduled a number of observations on this two-sol plan that additional investigated the rocks and constructions in our fast neighborhood and environment. ChemCam LIBS was used to focus on “El Olivo” to find out the chemistry of the bumpy textured bedrock close to the rover, which was additionally imaged by a Mastcam stereo mosaic. Further Mastcam stereo mosaics embody fractures at “El Corral” and linear troughs at “Chapare.” Additional away, ChemCam’s Distant Micro Imager (RMI) will present perception into an intriguing part of scoured options inside the Mishe Mokwa butte.
The environmental working group continues to maintain an eye fixed within the sky and deliberate a supra-horizon film and a dust-devil survey as a part of their ongoing monitoring marketing campaign of the atmospheric situations in Gale Crater.
The 21-meter-long drive (about 69 ft) on the finish of this plan will maneuver the rover previous the sandy ramp to the highest of the primary boxwork area. From right here, the science workforce will be capable of discover this fascinating space of significantly giant boxwork constructions. Keep tuned as Curiosity continues to climb greater and delve deeper into the geologic historical past of Mars!
