Get in Touch with Science at an Unprecedented Angle

Curiosity is currently positioned near the boundary between the clay-bearing “Glen Torridon” unit and the “Greenheugh” pediment. The rover is parked at an impressive tilt of 26.9˚, a record-setting angle for this mission. Over the weekend, the mission plan involves using the rover’s arm and remote sensing instruments to study the unique textures and chemistry of rocks in this area.

On the first day of the weekend plan, the team will utilize ChemCam to gather chemical data from a bedrock target known as “Garron Point” which is filled with nodules. Additionally, they will examine a dark float rock believed to have originated from the Greenheugh pediment called “Mull of Galloway.” The rover will also employ DRT and collect APXS, MAHLI, and ChemCam observations of another bedrock sample named “Berwickshire.” APXS and MAHLI instruments will focus on studying “Cairnbulg,” an area featuring nodules, while MAHLI will capture images of a distinct vein known as “Ross and Cromarty.”

This comprehensive approach to investigating the nearby rocks will provide valuable insights into the geological composition of this region. By combining data from various instruments, the team hopes to better understand the history and formation of these intriguing rock formations. The detailed observations and analyses conducted by Curiosity will contribute to our understanding of the Martian landscape and its geological evolution.