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While some of us enjoyed the Columbus Day holiday, MSL continued
working on Mars. The rover drove over 36 meters on Sol 1485, and another
drive is planned for Sol 1487. But first, ChemCam and Mastcam will
observe vein and bedrock targets named "Palapye," "Tutume," "Shoshong,"
and "Molepolole." The Right Mastcam will also acquire mosaics of
sedimentary structures exposed at "Tsandi" and of potential drill
targets at "Mowe Bay." After the drive, AEGIS will be used to select
two ChemCam targets and CheMin will attempt to clean a clump of the
Quela drill sample from its inlet funnel by vibrating it. Only a few activities are planned for Sol 1488,
including a passive DAN measurement and the usual background REMS and
RAD observations, so the rover batteries should be charged and ready for
Wednesday's plan.
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