Cape York, Landfall! Options

[centsworth_II]

WOW! Now its obvious why this cater's name is Odyssey.
Did you know before that Odysseus voyage from Troy to Ithaca led through Meridiany Planum?
His side face is nicely visible at top center of this picture .

It does have that Greek statue look to it. Let's see if the likeness holds up at different angles.

[fredk]

Wow. I mean holy &*^^#*** (*&&*## $)*#.

Somebody get the swear jar.

I think it's clear what this means. Ladies and gentlemen, a new mission has just landed successfully on a completely new part of Mars. Congratulations to the EDL team on what must be the smoothest landing ever!

It's been so long since we've been able to say what the *&%^ is that?! Seeing these bright veins takes me back to seeing the blueberries for the first time.

Wow.

[ElkGroveDan]

I just wonder what that white streak represents??

In this sedimentary environment I can't imagine it being anything other than what we came for. Which tells me the streak will likely get wider as Opportunity climbs higher, ultimately tracing back to a large deposit of similar material on top of the nearest summit.

[micvoo]

Absolutely stunning, and already looking forward to the next master pan...and master plan...

[ilbasso]

We've been driving over featureless terrain for so long that it's really going to be hard to sit still and savor the surroundings. I can only imagine the excitement in the Mission Room as they once again have to strategize over "what do we look at first?"

Reminds me of when I was in college - my dad and I drove across the US and back in 9 days. It was supposed to be a leisurely trip, but it quickly became "how far can we drive in one day?" It got so ridiculous that we couldn't wait for half an hour in Yellowstone to see the next eruption of Old Faithful, because it would have cut into our drive time.

I'm ecstatic that Oppy made it to Endeavour. Even if we sit still for weeks at a time, the view will be worth it. I don't think I've been so excited about the view since we were at Burns Cliff 2400 sols ago!

[MoreInput]

Official press release: http://marsrover.nasa.gov/newsroom/pressre.../20110810a.html

Are we there yet?
We are there!

[centsworth_II]

...they once again have to strategize over "what do we look at first?"

I was surprised they drove right over the plains/Cape York boundary. I imagine at some point we'll get a close look at it. And now there are those white veins, and of course the Odyssey ejecta, not to forget the basic surface of Cape York itself. All materials that perhaps Opportunity has never seen before in her seven year life on Mars! New mission indeed!

[fredk]

As if starting a new (probably multi-year) mission isn't enough, New Scientist presents some speculation about Iazu:

If it is still functioning a few years from now, the rover could set off for another, smaller crater called Iazu, with rocks that are just as old. "But holy smoly, that's like 15 kilometres away," nearly as far as the three-year trek to Endeavour, says Ray Arvidson... He is content to see Opportunity live out the rest of its days scrutinising rocks and capturing eye-popping vistas on Endeavour's rim. "That's a spectacular way to end the mission," he says.

[centsworth_II]

...speculation about Iazu...

I guess it's time to start a new thread of prospective routes.

[Pertinax]

It's been so long since we've been able to say what the *&%^ is that?! Seeing these bright veins takes me back to seeing the blueberries for the first time.

Wow.

I was so excited this morning (while geeking out once again over looking at images on my phone that were taken at Endeavour only 12 hours earlier) when I saw those white streaks and speckles ahead of us. Even the different character of the ground underfoot was exciting. I second your comment completely!

I look forward to when we are able to get some additional filter sets on these bright areas! WAG: Nontronite?



-- Pertinax

[Stu]

I caught my first glimpse of these incredible images on my phone too, sneaking a look at them at work in the staff room when I "went downstairs for something"... They looked pretty spectacular then, on the teeny-tiny screen, but now I'm home, looking at them properly... just beyond brilliant...!

Been working on those rocks over on t'other side of Odyssey...

[BrianL]

Exactly. I never thought we'd make it. I even said trying was silly.

In fairness, you did say that before we had the benefit of HiRISE for the whole trek.

[Julius]

I'm curious to see MI images of the new terrain.

[Matt Lenda]

http://opportunityendeavour.blogspot.com/2...ject-level.html

Matt does realize he might not be shaving for several years right?

Another guy on the team is joining me. We're calling our beard campaign, "No-shoave Noachian."

So, as soon as we get off of CY... I'll consider shaving.

-m

[MoreInput]

Just hope that Oppy won't get stuck on CY