[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - April 24, 2007

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:59:59 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200704251600.l3PG00Z02257_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Imaging 'Alicante' - sol 1145-1151, April 24, 2007:

Over the last week, Opportunity investigated the second of two "dark
streak" soil targets named "Alicante." The sol 1145 Moessbauer touch
sequence that was commanded did not make contact with the soil because
of a minor targeting discrepancy. Since the Moessbauer touch is used as a
reference point for determining where to start taking the microscopic
images, the lack of contact caused the images taken sol 1145 to be out
of focus. As a result, the team decided to stay another two sols and
reacquire the in-situ observations on Alicante. Now, Opportunity is
headed southeast towards "Tierra del Fuego" to begin another remote
sensing campaign.

Sol-by-sol summary:

Each sol includes a mini-miniature thermal emission spectrometer sky and
ground observation in the morning, right before transitioning to the
next sol's master sequence.

Sol 1145 (April 14, 2007): On this sol, the rover was scheduled to touch
the ground with its Moessbauer spectrometer. After the touch, microscopic
images were taken and then the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer was
placed on the soil target Alicante. The rover's panoramic camera imaged
targets "Huesca" and "Granada." Before the Mars Odyssey pass, the
panoramic camera took a tau measurement. During the Odyssey pass, the
miniature thermal emission spectrometer took a sky and ground
measurement. The alpha particle X-ray spectrometer was integrated for
about six hours. Also, there were four miniature thermal emission
spectrometer thermal inertia observations at various times of day.

Sol 1146: The rover changed tools to the Moessbauer spectrometer and
integrated for 12 hours. The panoramic camera completed a high-sun
survey while the navigation camera supported the miniature thermal
emission spectrometer. The panoramic camera imaged "Cordoba" and
"Colmenero." The miniature thermal emission spectrometer conducted a
7-pt sky and ground observation and the panoramic camera took a tau
measurement.

Sol 1147: During the morning of this sol, the panoramic camera examined
the sky and the horizon. The rover then restarted the Moessbauer
spectrometer and integrated for 12 hours. The miniature thermal emission
spectrometer then got busy by taking a low-angle sky measurement, then
completing a sky and ground observation and then, ultimately, staring at
its calibration target. Before the Odyssey pass, the rover took a tau
measurement with its panoramic camera.

Sol 1148: In the morning of this sol, the panoramic camera took
thumbnail images of the sky. Again the Moessbauer spectrometer was
commanded to touch the soil and the microscopic imager took pictures.
The rover then placed the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer on Alicante.
The miniature thermal emission spectrometer took a sky and ground
measurement and the panoramic camera took a tau measurement. Before the
Odyssey pass a tau measurement was taken and, during the pass, the
miniature thermal emission spectrometer observed the sky and ground.
After the Odyssey pass, the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer was
integrated on Alicante for about six hours.

Sol 1149: Opportunity looked for clouds with its navigation camera this
morning. The rover then placed the Moessbauer spectrometer on Alicante
and integrated for about 12 hours. The miniature thermal emission
spectrometer conducted thermal inertia stares as well as a sky and
ground measurement. The panoramic camera took a 13-filter image of
target "Granada." Before the Odyssey pass, the rover took a tau
measurement and, during the pass, the miniature thermal emission
spectrometer conducted a sky and ground observation.

Sol 1150: Opportunity woke up this sol and had a look at the sky with
its panoramic and navigation cameras. The miniature thermal emission
spectrometer also conducted a thermal inertia stare in the morning. The
rover bumped back 1 meter (3.3 feet) and took a panoramic camera
13-filter image of Alicante. Opportunity then drove 42.79 meters (140.39
feet) towards Tierra del Fuego. After the drive, the rover took images
with its hazard avoidance, navigation and panoramic cameras. Before the
Odyssey pass, the rover took a tau measurement and, during the pass, the
miniature thermal emission spectrometer conducted a sky and ground
observation.

Sol 1151: The rover woke up and conducted a sky survey (including a
high-sun survey). The miniature thermal emission spectrometer was busy
with a 7-point sky and ground observation and a stare at the ground
immediately in front of the rover. The panoramic camera also imaged the
ground in front of the rover with its 13 filters.

Current Odometry:

As of sol 1150, Opportunity's total odometry is 10,486.20 meters (6.52
miles).
Received on Wed 25 Apr 2007 11:59:59 AM PDT