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Sol 782-784 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Comet Observations

The experience I gained planning the MARDI drive
"video" for Sol 780 helped me prepare for another MARDI video during the
Sol 782 drive. I'm MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead again today, and got a good
start on the video and post-drive MAHLI/MARDI
observation planning. But concerns were raised about the safety of Sol
783 ChemCam observations of Comet Siding Spring after the Sol 782
drive, so the drive was deleted from the plan along with the associated
MARDI and MAHLI imaging. While I was disappointed
by this change of plans, I recognized the importance of the comet
observations. Comet Siding Spring will be closer to Mars this weekend
than any comet has approached Earth in historic times, and all the
spacecraft at Mars will be observing this rare event. I look forward to seeing the results!

Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

Written by Ken Herkenhoff, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center