Shiny Stones and “Radiant Seraph”

As we navigated through the dunes at Dunraven Pass, we could see Mount Washburn in the distance. Our Mastcam-Z camera had already identified it as a site with a variety of rocks and bedrock. When we reached the outcrop, we were struck by the different colors and textures surrounding us. Excited by the possibilities, we quickly began planning our observations using our remote sensing instruments.

Our main focus was on a bright boulder we named Atoko Point, which had dark speckles that caught our attention. After taking multiple Mastcam-Z multispectral images and using the SuperCam laser on Atoko Point, we turned our attention to our next target: Bright Angel. This light-toned rock exposure, located to the northwest, was easily recognizable in orbital imagery.

By studying the outcrops at Bright Angel and analyzing the relationship between different rock layers, known as stratigraphy, we hoped to gain insight into how it connected to Neretva Vallis and the crater rim. Our exploration and observations continued as we worked towards unraveling the geological mysteries of the Martian landscape.