Mystery of Mars: A Deep Dive into the Vera Rubin Ridge with ChemCam and APXS

At Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR) location “e,” our science team has been hard at work today. Through extensive imaging and geochemical analyses, we have gathered a wealth of observations that are nothing short of exciting. Our goal for the day is to study small-scale features in the rocks near the rover, in order to deepen our understanding of their formation.

During the early afternoon science block, we will be using ChemCam to assess targets such as “Macleans Nose 2,” “Funzie 2,” and “Ullapool.” These targets are repeat observations from the weekend, aimed at gathering additional data. Additionally, we plan to capture a Mastcam mosaic to document the VRR terrain beyond the rover’s immediate vicinity.

After the science block, we will deploy the arm to closely examine some intriguing rock features. One such feature is “Rona,” a large white vein that has caught our attention. Using the MAHLI camera, we will take high-resolution images of the vein’s interior, supplemented with an APXS observation to determine its composition. We will also conduct additional MAHLI imaging of “Loch Maree,” a patch of dark gray material, to further our understanding of the area.

Overall, our activities at VRR location “e” have been productive and promising, with each observation bringing us one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of Mars’s geological history.