Duck Bay will be the entry point according to Squyres, From Planetary Society |
Duck Bay will be the entry point according to Squyres, From Planetary Society |
Guest_Bobby_* |
Apr 1 2007, 06:42 AM
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#1
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Guests |
According to Steve Squyres from The Planetary Society Web Site. Opportunity will enter Duck Bay after taking a toe dip into Valley Without Peril's for some quick imaging. She will first investigate The Dark Streak then head back to The Valley Without Peril for Possible first entry (teaser entry) then onto the main event at Duck Bay.
Discussion regarding this entry Point can start here |
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Apr 1 2007, 11:04 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2492 Joined: 15-January 05 From: center Italy Member No.: 150 |
I'm a little disappointed by the decision to eventually enter the Duck Bay.
I was convinced best entry point was in the S/E rim based on slope and illumination but, clearly, I missed other elements like sand coverage or, perhaps, time. In fact, SS underlined how is important to have a 6-wheel, healty rover to explore VC interior and we aren't sure about Oppy conditions six months from now. I only hope this statement will not become an epitaph if Oppy loose one or more wheel functionalities while inside crater... I really want to finish Victoria circumnavigation! -------------------- I always think before posting! - Marco -
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Apr 1 2007, 01:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 4279 Joined: 19-April 05 From: .br at .es Member No.: 253 |
Well, it makes sense to enter at Duck Bay.
The goal is not to enter the crater but to investigate the rock outcrops at the walls I suppose... and the biggest ones are near Duck Bay. I take these words from the MER update: "Things are about to get really interesting." |
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Apr 1 2007, 06:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2173 Joined: 28-December 04 From: Florida, USA Member No.: 132 |
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Apr 1 2007, 11:00 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 530 Joined: 21-March 06 From: Canada Member No.: 721 |
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Apr 1 2007, 11:08 PM
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 258 Joined: 22-December 06 Member No.: 1503 |
I agree. Duck bay is the easiest entry for Oppy to reach a cliff. Now that it is later in the season illumination is not a serious problem at Duck Bay--it would have been, if they took it down that bay earlier. I also think Oppy can get out of Duck bay the same way it goes in. Again, Oppy can always do another toe dip somewhere else later, if it gets out of the crater. After ingress and egress, Oppy can continue circumnavigating Victoria counter-clockwise. There are some important cliffs on the south side of the crater too!
There is so much to do at Victoria! Let's complete the study of this northern area first. We'll worry about the rest later. 1219 still looks good for ingress! It will simply be a different bay than I expected. The time and distances still work out approximately the same. |
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Apr 2 2007, 02:26 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1229 Joined: 24-December 05 From: The blue one in between the yellow and red ones. Member No.: 618 |
Okay, I guess the Final Decision is imminent. So is there any real advantage to Valley Without Peril over Duck Bay? (Apart from being here and now, rather than a couple of weeks travelling away?). Have we ever seen strata deeper than those at Duck Bay? If not, then presumably will will join the Ducks on a track something like this:
Or has someone got a better plan? -------------------- My Grandpa goes to Mars every day and all I get are these lousy T-shirts!
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Apr 2 2007, 05:12 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2228 Joined: 1-December 04 From: Marble Falls, Texas, USA Member No.: 116 |
It seems that the final decision has been made, unless there is some new revelation between now and when they get back to Duck Bay. I think deeper strata have been seen, but the most accessible bedrock so far is that section observed in Duck Bay.
There is room for debate, but this truly is a lucky little rover. After arriving in Eagle Crater two strokes under par, the lie of the green after the long drive to Victoria seems to be sloping toward a birdie in Duck Bay. I'm just guessing, but the people driving this machine must appreciate the fact that they are operating one of two 900 million dollar interplanetary Porsches. One could argue that there is a better boat ramp on the other side, but it may be time to crap, or get off the pot, as some might say. -------------------- ...Tom
I'm not a Space Fan, I'm a Space Exploration Enthusiast. |
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Apr 2 2007, 05:36 AM
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#9
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2492 Joined: 15-January 05 From: center Italy Member No.: 150 |
Hey, Shaka.. I think the red entry path is safer, I wouldn't see again Oppy fighting with a tall dune before to entry...
-------------------- I always think before posting! - Marco -
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Guest_Bobby_* |
Apr 2 2007, 06:12 AM
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#10
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AFLAC AFLAC AFLAC
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Apr 2 2007, 06:34 AM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1229 Joined: 24-December 05 From: The blue one in between the yellow and red ones. Member No.: 618 |
Hey, amico, you might be right, but have you calculated the slope along the red path?
(This is scientific exploration, not the Olympic Downhill.) So far, nowhere in the Victoria annulus has proven too soft to traverse, so a little dune doesn't cause too many nightmares. Che sara sara. O.K. Tom, we'll take it as a given that Steve knows he has to... er... make an expeditious movement. BTW I've never seen a "900 million dollar Porsche"; I guess it has all the options. -------------------- My Grandpa goes to Mars every day and all I get are these lousy T-shirts!
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Apr 2 2007, 07:30 AM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 470 Joined: 24-March 04 From: Finland Member No.: 63 |
Yes! Go Oppy go!
Duck Bay looked like the best place from the beginning, and I'm glad they are getting there. -------------------- Antti Kuosmanen
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Apr 2 2007, 01:21 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 4279 Joined: 19-April 05 From: .br at .es Member No.: 253 |
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Guest_Edward Schmitz_* |
Apr 2 2007, 05:29 PM
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#14
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...then presumably will will join the Ducks on a track something like this:
Or has someone got a better plan? I would think that they'd go right down the middle of the chute, as long as there is exposed rock. Remember at Endurance. They found much deeper rock than they thought they would find. After a thorough investegation, they would get up close to the cliffs to image them as best they can. The slopes at the base of the cliffs look too steep to me. ed |
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Apr 2 2007, 06:24 PM
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 547 Joined: 1-May 06 From: Scotland (Ecosse, Escocia) Member No.: 759 |
Like BrianL, I'd be very keen to get a close-up view of The Lizard and the sub-herpeto block....
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