[meteorite-list] Mars Exploraton Rover Update #2 - August 2, 2005

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Aug 4 13:49:05 2005
Message-ID: <200508041748.j74Hm6V09546_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Investigating 'Chic' - sol 551-558, August 02, 2005:

Spirit has reached a target-rich area of the Columbia Hills. In the week
of July 21 to 28, 2005, Spirit performed extensive investigations on two
rocks, "Descartes" and "Bourgeoisie." Spirit has also acquired
coordinated panoramic camera and miniature thermal emission spectrometer
observations of several nearby rock targets.

Sol-by-sol summaries:

Sol 551 (July 21): Spirit made a short approach to a rock informally
named "Descartes."

Sol 552: Spirit used the microscopic imager and alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer on "Discourse" - which is a target on Descartes. It also
performed general remote sensing.

Sol 553: Spirit brushed the target with the rock abrasion tool, then
examined the brushed area with the microscopic imager and the alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer. It also made other remote-sensing observations.

Sol 554-555: Spirit performed a long integration with the Moessbauer
spectrometer and made remote-sensing observations.

Sol 556: The rover finished using its microscopic imager on Descartes
and rolled to the next target, Bourgeoisie.

Sol 557: Spirit took images with its microscopic imager and took
readings with its alpha particle X-ray spectrometer on Bourgeoisie. It
then used the microscopic imager to shoot frames for mosaics of three
areas -- "Gallant," "Gentil" and "Chic" -- and placed the alpha particle
X-ray spectrometer on Chic.

Sol 558 (July 28): Researchers sought to have Spirit brush Chic with the
rock abrasion tool, but due to the geometry of the target, Chic was
deemed un-brushable. Instead, Spirit proceeded with a two-day Moessbauer
spectrometer integration on Chic and more remote sensing.

Total odometry as of July 28, 2005 (sol 558) is 4,688 meters (2.91 miles).
Received on Thu 04 Aug 2005 01:48:06 PM PDT