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Sol 1470-1472: Change of Plans

Our drive went nicely and we are already about halfway to
our next drill site! Our original plan to head toward an outcrop called "Karasburg"
had to be changed because it turned out to be covered in sand and not very
steep, making it a less-desirable science target. So instead we are heading
toward a location where (we hope) the stratigraphy will be better-exposed.

For this weekend’s plan, we start out on sol 1470 with a
Navcam dust devil search and atmospheric observation, plus ChemCam of the
targets "Chiagne", "Chibemba", and "Chibanda". Mastcam will document those
three targets, as well as the location of the automated ChemCam observation
that was collected after yesterday’s drive. Mastcam also has three mosaics: a
6x3 of the Karasburg outcrop, a 4x1 of a location called "Longojo", and a 5x2
extension of the drive direction mosaic.

On Sol 1471, we will do a wheel checkup with MAHLI and then
drive, followed by the usual post-drive imaging. On Sol 1472 we have another
AEGIS automated ChemCam observation, a couple of Mastcam atmospheric
observations, and ChemCam calibration targets. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. 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 Ryan Anderson, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center