[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - July 27, 2004

[Ron Baalke]

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Pokes Around Pig - sol 174-176, 
July 27, 2004

On sol 174, Opportunity completed close-up examination of a 
rock target called "Arnold Ziffel" using the rover's 
microscopic imager, Mossbauer spectrometer and alpha particle 
X-ray spectrometer. All observations were successful.

Leaving Arnold Ziffel on sol 175, Opportunity backed up to 
capture an image the results of the close-up work, and then 
moved on down slope to a new target. This move will leave the 
rover about 13 meters (about 43 feet) down from the lip of the 
crater. The rover was put into deep-sleep, energy-saving 
status overnight from sol 175 to sol 176.

Sol 176, ending on July 23, was a driving day. Opportunity 
moved down the slope (and east) to a position to investigate 
a target called "Diamond Jenness." Everything executed as 
planned, leaving the rover in a great position to grind into 
the target with its rock abrasion tool.

The engineering team is looking into a concern about the 
driving surface. The downslope pavement requires close 
examination before the rover traverses, to ensure the sand 
covering the pavement is still capable of supporting 
Opportunity. Recent experience has shown up to 30 percent 
slip. 

---------------------------------------------------------------

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040727a.html

Press Release Images: Opportunity

27-Jul-2004
 
False-Color View of a 'Rat' Hole Trail

This view from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's panoramic camera
is a false-color composite rendering of the first seven holes that the
rover's rock abrasion tool dug on the inner slope of "Endurance Crater."
The rover was about 12 meters (about 39 feet) down into the crater when
it acquired the images combined into this mosaic. The view is looking
back toward the rim of the crater, with the rover's tracks visible. The
tailings around the holes drilled by the rock abrasion tool, or "Rat,"
show evidence for fine-grained red hematite similar to what was observed
months earlier in "Eagle Crater" outcrop holes.

Last week, viewers were asked to try seeing as many holes as they could
from a black-and-white, navigation-camera image (PIA06716). Most viewers
will find it far easier to see the seven holes in this exaggerated color
image; the same is true for scientists who are studying the holes from
millions of miles away.

Starting from the uppermost pictured (closest to the crater rim) to the
lowest, the rock abrasion tool hole targets are called "Tennessee,"
"Cobblehill," "Virginia," "London," "Grindstone," "Kettlestone," and
"Drammensfjorden." Opportunity drilled these holes on sols 138 (June 13,
2004), 143 (June 18), 145 (June 20), 148 (June 23), 151 (June 26), 153
(June 28) and 161 (July 7), respectively. Each hole is 4.5 centimeters
(1.8 inches) in diameter.

This image was generated using the panoramic camera's 750-, 530-, and
430-nanometer filters. It was taken on sol 173 (July 19).

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell

---------

Color View of a 'Rat' Hole Trail Inside 'Endurance'

This view from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's panoramic 
camera is an approximately true color rendering of the first seven 
holes that the rover's rock abrasion tool dug on the inner slope of 
"Endurance Crater." The rover was about 12 meters (about 39 feet) 
down into the crater when it acquired the images combined into this 
mosaic. The view is looking back toward the rim of the crater, with 
the rover's tracks visible. The tailings around the holes drilled 
by the rock abrasion tool, or "Rat," show evidence for fine-grained 
red hematite similar to what was observed months earlier in "Eagle 
Crater" outcrop holes.

Starting from the uppermost pictured (closest to the crater rim) 
to the lowest, the rock abrasion tool hole targets are called 
"Tennessee," "Cobblehill," "Virginia," "London," "Grindstone," 
"Kettlestone," and "Drammensfjorden." Opportunity drilled these 
holes on sols 138 (June 13, 2004), 143 (June 18), 145 (June 20), 
148 (June 23), 151 (June 26), 153 (June 28) and 161 (July 7), 
respectively. Each hole is 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) in 
diameter.

This image was generated using the panoramic camera's 750-, 530-, 
and 430-nanometer filters. It was taken on sol 173 (July 19).

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell