Exploring Mt Sharp north of the dunes - Part 2: Beyond Big Sky, Site 50-51, sol 1148-1171, October 29, 2015-November 23, 2015 Options

[jccwrt]

Sol 1158 postcard, looking out over Brandenburg


Curiosity - Sol 1158 by Justin Cowart, on Flickr


Sol 1155 postcard, looking at Cut Bank Valley.


Sol 1155 Postcard by Justin Cowart, on Flickr

[PaulH51]

Before its drive on 1167, curiosity used its RMI to target Bagnald Dune #1, using the pointing data I think I may have located the target area on a 1162 NavCam frame.


Raw NavCam LINK
Raw RMI LINK

Another planned drive completed on Sol 1168 closer to the dunes, images still coming in....

Mission Update from Lauren Edgar - Sols 1167-1168: Onward to the Bagnold Dunes LINK

The Bagnold Dunes are tantalizingly close, and this week is mostly focused on driving to the dunes. On Sol 1167 Curiosity drove 39 m, and the dunes are starting to look pretty big, as seen in the above Navcam image. For more on our plans when we get to the dunes, check out this recent press release.
The plan today looks very similar to yesterday, with a pre-drive science block, a drive, and post-drive imaging. Science activities include Mastcam and ChemCam observations of the local bedrock at a target named “Etosha,” as well as Mastcam deck monitoring to look for fine sand that might accumulate as we approach the active dunes. After the drive we’ll acquire standard imaging to prepare for future targeting and terrain assessment. We’re also planning a SAM atmospheric observation to look for methane, exactly one Mars year after the previous high detections....

[Phil Stooke]

Reprojecting the sol 1168 Hazcams helps to locate us:



Phil

[atomoid]

a couple of stereograms (parellel) from sol1168 to try to get a sense of topography of Dune 1 leading edge at Curiosity left and the 'other dune trailing edge (on right)

[PaulH51]

Sol 1167: 4-frame merged focus MAHLI Mosaic of 'Swakop'. Base images acquired on sol 1166. Assembled in MS ICE using raw images without any additional processing.
Reduced size preview image:

Flickr Original Size 2913 x 2219 pixels LINK
Imgur Mirror LINK

[jvandriel]

The Navcam L panoramic view on Sol 1167.

Jan van Driel

[PaulH51]

Sol 1155: R-Mastcam processed mosaic assembled in MS ICE

Flickr Original Size 15415 x 3335 pixels LINK
Imgur mirror LINK

[jvandriel]

and the Panoramic view on Sol 1168.

Jan van Driel

[Phil Stooke]

And this is the sol 1168 panorama in circular form. But for a change, it is not from Jan's panorama. Emily had tweeted a link to Damia Bouic's higher resolution version of the panorama:

http://www.db-prods.net/marsroversimages/c...y-2014.html#107

... so I used that. The higher resolution really helps the distant part of the scene remain sharp during reprojection.

Dear Damia, if you read this, I hope we will see you here again, especially as the scenery is getting better all the time. And we need a beam of light to help overcome the dark clouds which too often hide the sun!

[Phil Stooke]

And Jan's pan for sol 1167 gets the same treatment.

Phil

[algorithm]

Well said.

[atomoid]

exceptionally bright vein segment sol1168 navcam and mastcam.
just a chance specular angle or did we break that rock? i dont see the usual track scrapes but some smooshed sand bulges at the foot of rocks and a couple bits and pieces are lying about
also, nice little windtails on the pebbles to the right..

[PaulH51]

Mission Update from Lauren Edgar - Sols 1170-1172: Studying bedrock, sand, and sky. LINK

This week Curiosity has been driving towards the Bagnold Dunes and characterizing the bedrock and sand along the way. After a successful SAM methane experiment and 36.5 m drive on Sol 1168, Curiosity spent Sol 1169 recharging and assessing some of the local bedrock and dunes.
The weekend 3-sol plan starts with a number of environmental monitoring activities to assess atmospheric opacity and composition. The second sol includes several ChemCam and Mastcam activities to study the local bedrock and prepare for the upcoming dune investigation. We’ll also use Navcam to search for dust devils and monitor clouds and wind, and to monitor the deck of the rover to look for dust and sand accumulation. On the third sol we’ll drive and take our standard post-drive imaging. The plan also includes SAM and CheMin activities for prepare for future sampling. I’ll be on duty next week, so I’ve been monitoring the weekend activities and getting ready for some exciting observations next week.

[PaulH51]

One of the ChemCam targets from sol 1169 shown in context on sol 1168 post drive images. Stitching with MS ICE, no additional processing (raw)

Flickr Original Size 5140 x 2640 pixels LINK
Imgur mirror LINK

[jvandriel]

Nice Navcam L view on Sol 1169.

Jan van Driel