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Sols 1162-1163: Approaching Bagnold Dunes

Today is a holiday for some of us, but not the MSL tactical operations

team! The 55-meter drive planned for Sol 1160 completed as planned,

and another 41-meter drive is planned for Sol 1162. Before the next

drive, Mastcam and ChemCam will observe a small, sandy drift named

"Arris" and a bedrock target dubbed "Tsumeb." Mastcam will also

acquire two mosaics, one of nearby outcrops and one of more distant

rocks. The drive should place the rover between two of the Bagnold

Dunes, so the vehicle will turn to a heading that will maximize the

chances of acquiring good REMS measurements of wind speed and

direction. This observation is part of the dune study campaign that

has been developed over the past year, with an overall goal of better

understanding how winds on Mars form and modify dunes. Observations

of the dunes from orbit show that they are active, so many members of

the MSL science team are looking forward to detailed measurements of

the winds and their effects on the sand dunes and nearby terrain, as

winds are currently the most significant agent of erosion on Mars. On

Sol 1163, Mastcam will take pictures of the rover deck to allow

tracking of changes in the distribution of dust and sand on the top of

the vehicle, and image the sun to measure the amount of dust in the

atmosphere. Navcam will also observe the sky and search for dust

devils.



by Ken Herkenhoff
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