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by Staff Writers Pasadena CA (JPL) Oct 18, 2013
Opportunity is on the northern edge of 'Solander Point' at the rim of Endeavour Crater. The rover is investigating the geologic contacts at the base of Solander Point. On Sol 3446 (Oct. 3, 2013), at the location of the surface target 'Callitris,' Opportunity began an extensive two-sol, stereo color panorama of the ridge along Solander Point. Additional Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) integrations were collected on 'Callitris' on Sol 3448 (Oct. 5, 2013). On Sol 3452 (Oct. 9, 2013), with the ridge panorama complete and the work on Callitris done, the rover drove away to the southwest with a 64-feet (19.5-meter) drive heading toward a favorable energy (high-slope) 'lily pad.' As of Sol 3452 (Oct. 9, 2013), the solar array energy production was 328 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.649 and a solar array dust factor of 0.508. Total odometry is 23.88 miles (38.43 kilometers).
Pointing the Cameras to Comet ISON On Sol 3439 (Sept. 26, 2013), Opportunity headed southwest with an approximately 102 foot (31-meter) drive. In the process the rover collected some Panoramic Camera (Pancam) color imagery of a ripple and completed a post-drive Navigation Camera (Navcam) panorama. On Sol 3441 (Sept. 28, 2013), the rover imaged the target 'Callitris' with the Pancam, and then bumped a little over 16 feet (5 meters) to put the target within reach of the rover's robotic arm. Opportunity pointed the Panoramic Camera (Pancam) at comet ISON but the comet did not make itself bright enough to be visible to Pancam. On Sol 3444 (Sept. 1, 2013), Opportunity used the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) to brush the target Callitris before collecting a Microscopic Image (MI) mosaic of the same and placing the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) for an overnight integration. As of Sol 3444 (Sept. 1, 2013), the solar array energy production was 323 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.633 and a solar array dust factor of 0.494. Total odometry is 23.87 miles (38.41 kilometers).
Related Links Mars Rovers at JPL Mars Rovers at Cornell Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
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