As we plan Friday, we are greeted by a beautiful vista with well-preserved layers and stunning scenery, and a reminder of how amazing Mars is, Mastcam always takes a 360-degree photo, and the last one just happened in sol 3474, but considering the fantastic views from here, it is suggested that we take another one here if we can include it.
As an APXS editor today, I hoped that we would find something in DRT and remove some dust from the workspace, but I had little hope, as the bed was solid, with large “gnarly” bumps or bumps lumps of material, and little exposure. Nodular-free, laminated bedrock. However, the RPS has acquired a smooth surface that is large enough to dispose of discarded material so that APXS will analyze the brushed area in “Bamboo Creek” and the whole area in “Maple Creek.”
Targeted comparisons like this have a massive advantage in APXS, which allows us to compare close-up tracks and determine if the compositions are “real” or if too much dust hides other very hidden trends. ChemCam will also use LIBS to view Bamboo Creek chemistry, and Mastcam will use multispectral images to visualize the brushed area.
GEO also investigates the nodular-rich bed. MAHLI takes a series of photographs of one of the most prominent features of “Apoteri,” while ChemCam and Mastcam aim at “El Gato.” ChemCam will use long-distance imaging (RMI) to look at something that may look like a Prow remotely.
Mastcam has a very comprehensive list of functions, looking at potential objects such as the Prow-like lens (“Sierra Maigualida”) remotely and exposing sedimentary structures near the rover (“Ampa,”) in addition to photographing in the Mirador butte. And the rocks east of Mirador. There is also a memorable Mastcam multispectral sunset, which has time to record the sky’s brightness when the Sun is down. But despite this heavy load, the view was too good to transfer, so Mastcam will get that 360 images here, too – keep your eyes open for that image!
