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by Staff Writers Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 18, 2014
Opportunity continues to explore 'Murray Ridge' on Solander Point, part of the rim of Endeavour Crater. On Sol 3596 (March 6, 2014), the rover moved forward to put a rock called 'Turnagain Arm,' within reach of the robotic arm. That evening, there was enough power to allow Opportunity to perform a full overnight Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Argon integration. On Sol 3958 (March 8, 2014) activities included a Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) brush, a Microscopic Imager mosaic, and placement of the APXS on Turnagain Arm followed by two evenings of APXS integrations. Opportunity then proceeded toward a new rock target called 'Augustine,' on Sol 3600 (March 10, 2014). However, due to a high tilt and considerable slip from being on a slope, two subsequent 'bumps' on Sols 3601 and 3602 (March 11 and March 12, 2014), were needed to get close enough to examine Augustine. As of Sol 3602 (March 12, 2014), the solar array energy production was 498 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.446 and a solar array dust factor of 0.694. Total odometry is 24.09 miles (38.76 kilometers)
Investigating 'Cook Haven' - sols 3589-3595 The rover continues to investigate the region called 'Cook Haven.' On Sol 3589 (Feb. 27, 2014), the rover drove 19 feet (5.73 meters). The first objective of the drive was to break the rock target 'Stuart Island' with the rover wheels and image the results. That was successful. The other objective was to drive toward a new target area called, 'Cross Sound' and position the rover for some in-situ (contact) investigations. On Sol 3591 (March 1, 2014), the rover turned-in-place in order to face the intended surface targets. This was followed by documentary Panoramic Camera (Pancam) and Navigation Camera (Navcam) mosaics. On the next sol, Opportunity collected a set of Navcam atmospheric opacity (tau) measurements for the InSight project. That evening, the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) performed an atmospheric argon measurement. On Sol 3594 (March 4, 2014), the rover bumped forward 34 inches (86 centimeters) to reach the surface targets for subsequence investigation. As of Sol 3595 (March 5, 2014), the solar array energy production was 492 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.451 and an improved solar array dust factor of 0.699. Total odometry is 24.08 miles (38.75 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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