[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: November 09-16, 2011

[Ron Baalke]

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE:  Nearing A Winter Haven - sols 2771-2777,
November 09-16, 2011:

The project continues to implement the seasonal plan for Opportunity,
which is to winter over on the north end of "Cape York" on the rim of
Endeavour Crater where northerly tilts are favorable for solar array
energy production.

With recent driving, Opportunity in now in the vicinity of the winter
haven location. On Sol 2771 (Nov. 9, 2011), the rover completed some
in-situ (contact) science in and around the light-toned vein called
"Homestake." On Sol 2773 (Nov. 12, 2011), Opportunity drove away with
over a 164-foot (50-meter) drive to the east/northeast. On Sol 2775
(Nov. 14, 2011), Opportunity headed about 131 feet (40 meters) to the
east, taking a dog leg maneuver to avoid a large ripple. Then, on Sol
2777 (Nov. 16, 2011), the rover headed northeast with a drive of a
little over 115 feet (35 meters) to approach one of the areas of
enhanced northerly slope, a location favorable for winter parking.

As of Sol 2777 (Nov. 16, 2011), solar array energy production was 298
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.696 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.486.

Total odometry is 21.33 miles (34,328.09 meters, or 34.33 kilometers).