It was named "Block Island".

01946::p2532::23::13::13::0::0::2::28::pancam_Block_Island_L234567Rall

Tesheiner, would it be possible put a label for Block Island on your map (even if too small to actually see on the map image)? I'm confused as to which crater it is sitting in front of. It isn't Alvin?

"Block Island" is actually a ways south of the sol 1942 location:
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all...00P1962R0M1.JPG
(And it's roughly 25 cm tall.) So that would mean some significant backtracking if that were a target. I'm baffled by this reversal.

Edit: perhaps Oppy's gotten tired of seeing her destination in the rearview mirror:
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all...NMP1760R0M1.JPG
and she's revolted!

Or this is a repeat of that programming glitch that made her go one way when she meant to go the other, although one would assume they got that issue sorted out.

I'm hopeful this is a sign that the Endeavour clays have become such a high-priority target that they have decided on the shorter, presumably quicker but riskier route to increase their chances of getting there before the overriding enemy that is time ultimately results in a critical system failure that will stop Oppy dead in her tracks. In other words, move from the philosophy that "south is the way to go, and IF we get to Endeavour, that's a bonus" to "we must reach Endeavour or die trying".

No way that it would be another instance of the "glitch". The evidence is the "post-drive" mosaics because they are pointing WSW, same as the driving direction.

I would expect some news on the next status report in a few days, unless someone in the know posts some tidbits here.

So now we're sailing in the north atlantic along the northeastern US COAST...watch out for JAWS next!

Block Island is visible in the HiRISE image, meaning it's fairly large, which is one reason we're going back. Other reason(s) I'll leave up to the reader! (more fun that way!)


-Tim.

I estimate Block Island is roughly 25 cm tall by 50 cm wide (orthogonal to our line of sight). That's assuming it's sitting at the same elevation as Oppy's wheels were, and also that the horizon was level with pancam. (Probably not horrible approximations on Meridiani!)

Could someone who has the full resolution HiRISE post a full res crop showing the area of Block Island? I estimate it's about 50 metres S or SSW from the sol 1942 location.

Looks like a Land Rover stuck in the Sahara..... kind of

Great news! This will take me more time to tweak my google earth map extension (it's proving trickier than i thought).

Hi FredK
Here's a crop of the region I think you want.
I may be wrong, can't see the rock.
I can crop a different area if you wish.

Roy F

Roy:

It's in there!

-Tim.

Would someone who can see where it is please circle it and repost the pic! Can't see it.

I can well understand why we're going to have a look. Not only does it look different to all the surrounding rock - it's also, I'd guess, the single largest rock not in a crater that Opportunity has ever seen.