Journey to Mt Sharp - Part 4: Beyond the Kimberley, Sol 634 [May 19, '14] to 706 [Jul 31, '14] Options

[atomoid]

stitch of micro-graben from sol637 dirt shot sequence

[Floyd]

I guess with the holiday weekend we won't move towards or get any images of the large rocks/meteorites until Wednesday. Hard to wait sometimes...

[James Sorenson]

Definitely a metal object!

[jmknapp]

Is there a compelling scientific reason for MSL to analyze an iron-nickel meteor further (drive over there, etc)?

[PaulH51]

Is there a compelling scientific reason for MSL to analyze an iron-nickel meteor further (drive over there, etc)?

According to 'Midnight Planets' Curiosity is driving now (awaiting metadata) we will have to see where she is going

[charborob]

Sol 637 mastcam 100 view of the two "rocks":

If these are meteorites (as they appear to be), isn't it quite a coincidence that they are so close together? Unless they are part of a larger body that broke up either on its way down or upon impact.

[jmknapp]

According to 'Midnight Planets' Curiosity is driving now (awaiting metadata) we will have to see where she is going

The SPICE position file was finally updated this morning after several days, but it just has a couple of of short bumps yesterday (sol 640), maybe spurious.

I was just wondering given the overall aim of the effort (characterizing the "lacustrine" history of the crater, etc.), if an extraterrestrial rock is on point.

[mhoward]

The bumps aren't spurious (I don't think); typical wheel examination (see bottom of page).

Gorgeous (and probably practical in some way?) early morning lighting, too.

[Phil Stooke]

The short bumps are not spurious, they are doing wheel imaging with small rotations between images.

Checking whether these rocks are meteorites is a worthy goal - not enough for a long stop, but I would suggest it would be useful to get ChemCam LIBS data on them to compare with APXS which we have for the Meridiani meteorites. As for clustering, Spirit also say 2 or possibly 3 meteorites at Low Ridge Haven, and at Meridiani Shelter Island and Mackinac Island were also close together. Atmospheric breakup seems quite likely.

Phil

[Phil Stooke]

These are circular views from sols 636 and 637 showing recent drives and surrounding features.

Phil

636:


637:

[serpens]

Is there a compelling scientific reason for MSL to analyze an iron-nickel meteor further (drive over there, etc)?

Assuming that they are, as they seem, iron meteorites then the impact must have occurred when there was a reasonably thick atmosphere and an appreciable depth of material (sandstone / mud / water) above their present level since there is no trace of impact excavation and no appreciable fragmentation, although the original could perhaps have split in half, potentially just before impact. So a closer examination could give an important data point on the environment post impact. Besides, how could an entity named Curiosity fail to have a quick look?

[anticitizen2]

Hopefully ChemCam got some good distance zaps in, because that rock (meteorite for sure?) is now far in the rear-view mirror!

(just thumbnails for now)

I've been surprised by how far west we've headed - I guess that way lies flatter ground for longer drives. And softer ground - because unlike Opportunity's solar arrays, the wheels aren't getting any better

[chuckclark]

. . . reasonably thick atmosphere . . . appreciable depth of material . . . no trace of impact excavation . . . no appreciable fragmentation, . . . closer examination could give an important data point . . . . Besides, how could an entity named Curiosity fail to have a quick look?

Applause!

(Is the obvious really obvious until someone states it precisely and clearly?)

[jmknapp]

Looks like 42m to the northwest--Murray Buttes beckons?

Drive 185

[Phil Stooke]

Very quick circular pan and sketch map - proper map update tomorrow.

Phil