Opportunity Mission Update Thread

[thechemist]

You are right, mike, of course.<br />But I still like the stretched ones better <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[thechemist]

If the extremely bright rock in this NavCam image is compared with how its PanCam close-up looks, then it is evident that the image I posted a few days ago in this thread, claiming that it was a salt deposits rock with berries was just an illusion.<br />This rock and the previous one are normal rocks covered with berries that reflect lots of light under certain time-of-day illumination.<br />I was fooled once again <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[silylene old]

It is still rather bright and interesting. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[marslauncher]

For something that is supposed to be turning around and exiting the crater it sure isnt moving much hehe<br /><br />Hopefully we will get some front Hazcam images soon and hopefully it will exit Endurance before Xmas<br />

 

[fangsheath]

In my opinion, Squyres has rather badly misread the morphology of Wopmay. He more or less equates it with that of Escher, and dismisses the peculiar lumpiness as the result of wind scouring due to Wopmay’s exposure. He refers to “coatings” on Wopmay. Since Wopmay was not even brushed, let alone RATed, we are in no position to talk about coatings. The IDD only examined one small area of the surface of Wopmay.<br /><br />To my eye it is very apparent that the surface of Wopmay has expanded greatly, and subsequently contracted. It is this process that is responsible for the polygonal fracturing and the lumpiness. If the lumpiness were due to scouring by the wind, we would expect that the heavily scoured areas near the cracks would show much variation in blueberry exposure, as the matrix surrounding them rapidly erodes. In fact, this kind of variation is exactly what we see on the upper surface Wopmay. Far from increasing the lumpiness, this scouring has eroded down the areas between the cracks and produced a relatively smooth surface. The sides of Wopmay, by contrast, show little evidence of scouring, except in the deep cracks, yet are highly lumpy and have bedding lines that have obviously been distorted. We did not see this on Escher.<br /><br />A tremendous opportunity to understand the history of this area was lost when Wopmay was abandoned. I doubt there will be any similar opportunities on this mission.

 

[JonClarke]

Fangsheath:<br /><br />The whole of Wopmay does not need to expand and contract, only the outer part. Nor does the expansion have to be great.<br /><br />What was interesting about Wopmay was the weathering pattern, I don't think the rock itself was that different to what we have seen before. While more work on Wopmay would have nice, I doubt it have uncovered anythign earth shaking.<br /><br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[fangsheath]

While I doubt that data from Wopmay would have substantially altered the outline of the story that Squyres et al. have forwarded for Endurance, I do think it could have filled in major gaps in our understanding of the sequence of deposition, lithification, alteration by subsurface water, excavation, and so on. The morphology strongly suggests to me that this rock was thoroughly soaked in water after it was at least partially lithified. The question is, did this happen while it was still buried or after it was exposed? I think a thorough examination could have told us this and other details, and thus demonstrated conclusively whether there was ever substantial surface water in this hole, among other things. But it is no use moaning about it, perhaps we will make it to Victoria Crater and some of these details will become clearer.

 

[JonClarke]

True, but that is what you have to put up with when you use robots to do your field science. <br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[fangsheath]

This is probably the best look we will get at the steep cross-bedding at the base of Burns Cliff. A few observations:<br /><br />From what I can see there is little doubt in my mind that the morphology is a geniune reflection of the original deposition process, not the juxtaposition or re-orientation of elements (not that there isn't evidence of some fracturing and shifting).<br />The laminae of Burns Cliff itself are fine and remarkably consistent in orientation.<br />The bedding angles do indeed appear rather steep at the base of Burns Cliff, such steepness on this scale is not usually seen in fluvial or marine deposits.<br />Notice that not only are the laminae below Burns Cliff at a steep angle to those in it, but are far less consistent in orientation with respect to each other.<br />Quite apparent near the unconformity are areas of superimposed bedding lines, I have indicated one with a red arrow. This is something I have not noted before. <br /><br />I speculate that the laminae below Burns Cliff are aeolian in origin. I believe that Burns Cliff itself was deposited in an aqueous environment. At the transition, I think the water invaded the area for a time, then the spot dried up for a while, then the water returned in earnest and deposited Burns Cliff.<br /><br />Anyways, that is my thinking, for what it's worth. But I sure would like to hear a geologist's impressions.

 

[JonClarke]

I agree, aeolian cross bedding is the strongest contender for this I can think of. What is interesting is that this means that the lake deposits are quite thin and resting on dunes. It is possible that sulphate lakes might have made up only a small part of the overal depositional environment of the Merdiani sediments.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[najab]

Lake deposits <b>on top</b> of dunes?! How could you get free standing water for long enough to create the depositional formation on top of dunes?

 

[thechemist]

Opportunity has backed from Burns Cliff in reverse, beginning the long sequence that will lead it out of Endurance.<br /><br />forward hazcam <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[thechemist]

Big Planet, Tiny Vehicles, Astrobiology Magazine.<br />Mars Life Summary (Nov 22, 2004): What can the Mars rovers do after reaching Endurance Crater and the Columbia Hills. Principal investigator Steve Squyres talked with Astrobiology Magazine what's next: Can Opportunity drive five more kilometers to Victoria Crater, while being commanded by dedicated graduate students? He introduces two tiny vehicles to a big planet where the work is never done.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[fangsheath]

Obviously you have to have a very different atmosphere from that which currently exists, but I think such a conclusion is inevitable from a wealth of evidence already provided by this rover. My suspicion is that the stack of sediments we see in Endurance Crater is merely the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I believe the evaporite geology we have thus far seen represents the transition from a much wetter Mars to the much drier planet we see today. I hope we can get a close look at deeper deposits.

 

[centsworth_II]

<font color="yellow">"My suspicion is that the stack of sediments we see in Endurance Crater is merely the tip of the iceberg..."</font><br /><br />My favorite reference on Meridiani (easy read, lots of pictures!) talks of layered units with 200m cliffs a few hundred km north of Opportunity. Also there are areas of etched terrain showing thick beds of layering. <br /><br />The etched terrain within reach of the rover is much more modest than what is described in areas 100 or more km north of the landing site, but still may offer a look at deeper layers than seen at Burns Cliff. And undisturbed by impact!<br /><br />P.S. Thanks for the link to the latest (stealth) audio news conference. I greatly enjoy hearing the reports from the mouths of the scientists. I get a good idea of their lines of thought and degree of certainty on various ideas. The graphics are far superior to those flashed on screens during the televised briefings. Its a joy to scroll down the images while having them explained by the researchers. <br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[eric_apollo]

Subject: User Name: Mental_Avenger<br /><br />To Whom It May Concern,<br /><br />The above person, user name Mental_Avenger has continued to purposely spread lies and disinformation about the International Space Agency and Mr. Rick Dobson.<br /><br />This person has taken a number of user names on Space.Com and on other Space Message Boards, to spread their lies and disinformation.<br /><br />This person has, and is, working either with, or on the behalf of, some unknown organization or group that has been conducting a focused smear and propaganda campaign now for a number of years against the International Space Agency and Mr. Rick Dobson.<br /><br />This person has been baiting people, and entering posts which the International Space Agency has made, with the "specific purpose" of slandering, causing trouble, and spreading lies & disinformation. And to specifically disrupt and derail these positive posts, and to chase people away. This persons malicious and vindictive actions have been constant and very threatening.<br /><br />We are asking that these slanderous and illegal acts be stopped, and that we obtain the personal information of this person for legal action for criminal defamation of character and slander, and to report this person to Law Enforcement for making terroristic threats against the Chairman & CEO of the International Space Agency, Mr. Rick Dobson. This person "Mental_Avenger" has been making a number of terroristic threats against the Chairman & CEO of the International Space Agency, Mr. Rick Dobson.<br /><br />The International Space Agency or Mr. Dobson has never done anything wrong on Space.Com, and has never been anything less than positive, or has presented anything other than uplifting and factual information to the Space.Com community and posting board.<br /><br />It is criminal to allow this person "Mental_Avenger" to defame, smear, and attack legitimate organizations and people with impunity. This is not a freedom of speech issue, as th

 

[mikehoward]

Clouds are visible in this rear hazcam image (!) from sol 303. Also it looks like we are getting close to our original entry point into the crater? So maybe we will be exiting soon... (I guess I'm getting antsy?)<br /><br />http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/opportunity/rear_hazcam/2004-11-30/1R155087923EFF38D7P1311R0M1.JPG

 

[thechemist]

Nice image ! I don't remember clouds in a hazcam image before <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />We are closing on Karatepe, Oppy should be attempting egress in at most 5-6 Sols (my unqualified guess) <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[mah_fl]

The latest pics I can see from Oppy on both my home and work pc are from 11/25/04, I noticed you have a 11/30/04 there ?

 

[thechemist]

I can see the Exploratorium pictures up to 30-11-04 also, no problem.<br />Maybe you need to reload your browser ? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

Just to clarify...<br /><br />As of about the time of this post, JPL has not updated the Oppy raw images gallery since 11/25/04. However, the exploratorium index of Mars/opportunity listing normally posts images before JPL. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[mah_fl]

Thanks Swampcat. Does anyone think Oppy is trying to exit up that slope or is it a science pit stop ?

 

[fangsheath]

I think it is very possible that they are looking at this spot as a potential egress shortcut. The tricky part is the "lip" that is just ahead of the rover. If they can get over that I think she will have it made, the remaining slope up to the rim is much less steep. I have indicated with a red circle the approximate location of the vehicle as of the most recently posted Hazcam image.

 

[mikehoward]

Cool. They have deployed the arm, so it looks like they're stopping to do some science. But it sure looks like they could go up diagonally if they wanted to. I'm not so sure about going straight up over that sand patch.

 

[mikehoward]

Definitely a science pitstop. From Sol 305:<br />http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/opportunity/pancam/2004-12-02/1P155265028ESF38EVP2554L7M1.JPG