- Status
OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Brushing and Examining an Outcrop - sols 1831-1837, March 19-25, 2009:
Opportunity remains positioned on an exposed rock outcrop, continuing an "in situ" (contact) science campaign with the robotic arm (IDD).
On Sol 1832 (March 20, 2009), the first part of a rock abrasion tool (RAT) brushing activity was performed. Using a new work-around for the failed RAT Z-encoder, the RAT successfully performed a seek-scan to locate the rock surface. On the next sol, the RAT successfully brushed the surface. The Microscopic imager (MI) took images to document the brushing. The Mössbauer (MB) spectrometer was placed on the brushed target, and several sols of integration were performed. On Sol 1836 (March 24, 2009), the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) was placed on the brushed target to measure the elemental composition. On Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), another RAT seek-scan was performed to set up for a RAT grind on the next sol.
As of Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), Opportunity's solar array energy production is 336 watt-hours. Atmospheric opacity (tau) remains elevated at 1.145. The solar array dust factor is 0.497, meaning that 49.7 percent of sunlight hitting the solar array penetrates the layer of accumulated dust on the array. Opportunity is in good health. Its total odometry remains at 15,051.44 meters (9.35 miles).
Opportunity remains positioned on an exposed rock outcrop, continuing an "in situ" (contact) science campaign with the robotic arm (IDD).
On Sol 1832 (March 20, 2009), the first part of a rock abrasion tool (RAT) brushing activity was performed. Using a new work-around for the failed RAT Z-encoder, the RAT successfully performed a seek-scan to locate the rock surface. On the next sol, the RAT successfully brushed the surface. The Microscopic imager (MI) took images to document the brushing. The Mössbauer (MB) spectrometer was placed on the brushed target, and several sols of integration were performed. On Sol 1836 (March 24, 2009), the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) was placed on the brushed target to measure the elemental composition. On Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), another RAT seek-scan was performed to set up for a RAT grind on the next sol.
As of Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), Opportunity's solar array energy production is 336 watt-hours. Atmospheric opacity (tau) remains elevated at 1.145. The solar array dust factor is 0.497, meaning that 49.7 percent of sunlight hitting the solar array penetrates the layer of accumulated dust on the array. Opportunity is in good health. Its total odometry remains at 15,051.44 meters (9.35 miles).
Cheers Wayne.
It will be very interesting to compare APXS readings from this location to those from Eagle Crater at the start of the surface mission, through Endurance & Victoria Craters to now.
Will be interesting to see if the surface composition has changed much, if at all.
Sol 1,840 Microscopic imager image, showing a handful of blueberries. These seem a little larger, but courser than many seen earlier during the mission. Also far fewer too.
Andrew Brown.
It will be very interesting to compare APXS readings from this location to those from Eagle Crater at the start of the surface mission, through Endurance & Victoria Craters to now.
Will be interesting to see if the surface composition has changed much, if at all.
Sol 1,840 Microscopic imager image, showing a handful of blueberries. These seem a little larger, but courser than many seen earlier during the mission. Also far fewer too.
Andrew Brown.
Cheers Wayne,
Blooming health AND computer issues again this time. Not been at all well (been prescribed an increase in medication), but today feeling much better again.
Connection has also been ropey, so a double whammy really.
Great to be back again.
Andrew Brown.
Blooming health AND computer issues again this time. Not been at all well (been prescribed an increase in medication), but today feeling much better again.
Connection has also been ropey, so a double whammy really.
Great to be back again.
Andrew Brown.
- Status
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