Earth Planning Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Mars continues to be a fascinating subject of study, especially when it comes to understanding its atmospheric conditions and seasonal changes. Recently, Mars reached a solar longitude of 40 degrees, which is an important milestone for scientists monitoring the planet. Solar longitude is a measurement of Mars’ position in its orbit around the Sun, starting at 0 degrees and completing a full year at 360 degrees. For the Environmental Science (ENV) team, 40 degrees marks the beginning of a significant period known as the Aphelion Cloud Belt (ACB) observation campaign.
During this particular time of the Martian year, the northern polar ice cap begins to emerge into sunlight. This exposure causes the ice to sublimate, turning directly from solid ice into water vapor, which is then released into the Martian atmosphere. Simultaneously, Mars is near aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, resulting in a generally colder atmosphere. These conditions favor the formation of clouds, making this an ideal time for scientists to study these atmospheric phenomena.
The Gale Crater, where the Curiosity rover is located, is situated near the southern edge of the ACB. This makes it an excellent location for capturing cloud imagery and studying the changes in the ACB during the cloudy season. Meanwhile, the Jezero Crater, which houses the Perseverance rover, is closer to the center of the ACB. Observers are encouraged to keep an eye on the Perseverance rover’s Raw Images page for fascinating updates and images over the coming months.
Recently, Curiosity experienced a minor hiccup during its planned drive. The rover was supposed to travel approximately 38 meters (about 125 feet) but stopped after just 4 meters (about 13 feet). Initially, the team suspected that the left-front wheel had encountered a large rock. However, after reviewing the drive data, it was discovered that the right-front wheel’s steering motor detected an obstruction on that side as well, prompting the rover to halt and await further instructions from Earth. This scenario is well-understood by the team, and they anticipate resuming their westward journey soon.
The cold Martian weather continues to pose challenges, particularly in terms of power management. This necessitates careful prioritization of activities to ensure the rover’s operations are not compromised. Despite the drive fault, there was positive news—Curiosity’s arm was safely unstowed, allowing a full suite of activities involving its MAHLI (Mars Hand Lens Imager), APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer), and DRT (Dust Removal Tool) to proceed.
The day’s activities began with remote sensing operations. These included ChemCam LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) and Mastcam observations of an area known as “Beacon Hill,” which features layered bedrock. Additionally, a ChemCam RMI (Remote Micro-Imager) mosaic was captured of the upper portion of Texoli Butte.
Following these observations, Curiosity took a 3½-hour nap to recharge its batteries. The subsequent arm activities commenced with MAHLI images of calibration targets for both MAHLI and APXS. The rover then conducted MAHLI and APXS observations of a geological feature dubbed “Zuma Canyon.” This was followed by coordinated DRT, APXS, and MAHLI activities focusing on bedrock in the workspace, named “Bear Canyon.” After another brief rest, the arm remained unstowed to allow for two extended post-sunset APXS integrations, with the arm eventually being stowed about an hour and a half before midnight.
The second sol (Martian day) of the plan kicked off with additional remote sensing activities, beginning with ChemCam LIBS on “Mission Point.” This was succeeded by a series of Mastcam images capturing features like “Crystal Lake” (noted for its polygonal fractures in the bedrock), “Stockton Flat” (showcasing fine laminations in the bedrock), “Mount Waterman,” and Mission Point itself.
The plan concluded with Environmental Science (ENV) activities, including a Mastcam tau and Navcam line-of-sight measurements to assess dust levels in the atmosphere, alongside a Navcam cloud movie. The team hopes for a lengthy drive westward, followed by a substantial period of rest to recharge the rover’s batteries before planning resumes on Friday. Throughout this period, the rover’s REMS (Rover Environmental Monitoring Station), RAD (Radiation Assessment Detector), and DAN (Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons) instruments continue their diligent environmental monitoring.
This comprehensive and meticulously planned set of activities highlights the careful coordination and anticipation required to ensure the success of Mars exploration missions. The data collected during these campaigns not only enrich our understanding of Mars but also provide valuable insights that can inform future missions. As Mars continues its journey around the Sun, the scientific community remains eager to uncover more of its secrets, deepening our comprehension of this intriguing neighbor in our solar system.
For further exploration of these Martian phenomena, visit NASA’s Mars 2020 Mission page to view raw images and stay updated with the latest discoveries.
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