MISSION UPDATES | June 3, 2020

Sols 2783-2784: Investigating an Interesting Pebble/Nodular Patch

Written by Mark Salvatore, Planetary Geologist at University of Michigan
Surface of Mars

This image was taken by Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 2782. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Download image ›​

After a drive of longer than 50 meters, Curiosity parked in front of an interesting patch of bedrock and sand well within the previously identified clay-bearing unit. Scattered within the sediment was a plethora of small pebbles or nodules that seem to be eroding out of the local bedrock. Upon this observation, the team was particularly excited about studying these pebbles or nodules and their host bedrock as a means of understanding any chemical differences and the role of physical erosion in the liberation of these materials. Our science plan today involved two ChemCam LIBS chemical analyses of this nodular/pebbly bedrock material, in addition to a large Mastcam mosaic of the nearby pediment and cliff face from this unique vantage point and before we drive away. After another planned drive, we have a series of additional Mastcam mosaics planned to continue improving our understanding of this landscape as we march further uphill in our climb of Mount Sharp.