Over the weekend, NASA’s Curiosity rover made significant progress by driving 51 meters closer to the Bagnold Dunes. As the Geology Science Theme Lead, I am currently working on planning Sol 1173. The main objective of today’s plan is to closely monitor the dunes and document any bedrock we encounter along the way.
The day will begin with Mastcam observations to monitor two of the dunes as well as a small sandsheet directly in our path. After these observations, we will proceed with a drive towards the dunes and acquire post-drive imaging to prepare for targeting activities that will take place tomorrow. In the afternoon, we will utilize Navcam to observe the atmosphere and search for dust devils. Additionally, we will take Mastcam mosaics to monitor the dunes and bedrock under different lighting conditions.
The late afternoon lighting is particularly useful for capturing subtle textures in the dunes and rocks, which will help us determine the best time of day to image these features during our Bagnold Dune campaign. By closely monitoring these areas, we hope to gather valuable data that will enhance our understanding of this unique Martian terrain.
