Sols 3712-3714: To the Marker Band! (Again)

We received the data that we had been missing during Wednesday’s planning, so we hit the ground running today, ready to plan for contact science and our drive onto the Marker Band in this new location! Early in planning the Geology and Mineralogy science theme group selected two targets in our workspace that will be brushed and examined with MAHLI and APXS named “Paredao” and “Curupira.” ChemCam will also be able to observe targets in the workspace, hitting one of the contact science targets, Paredao, with its laser, as well as two darker float rocks with interesting textures named “Uaica” and “Paruaina.” Mastcam will image all of the targets, including collecting multispectral images of the two DRTed areas. Mastcam will also collect several large mosaics of the surrounding area, supplementing the awesome imaging we already acquired on this location on Wednesday. The Atmosphere and Environment science theme group also planned observations to continue to assess the environment in the local area.

Our drive will then take us on top of the Marker Band. We are excited to study this unique feature from a new location, and will also be on the lookout for rocks that might make suitable targets for a third drill attempt.

Written by Abigail Fraeman, Planetary Geologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory