Exploring Mars’ Dunes and Bedrock: A Day in the Life of a Sol 1173 Journalist

As the Geology Science Theme Lead, I am currently working on planning Sol 1173. The plan for today includes a short science block, a drive towards the dunes, post-drive imaging, and some untargeted science activities in the afternoon. The main goal for today is to closely monitor the dunes and document the bedrock that we encounter along the way.

We will begin the day with Mastcam observations to monitor two of the dunes as well as a small sandsheet directly in our path. After the observations, we will proceed with the drive and acquire post-drive imaging to prepare for targeting activities that will take place tomorrow. In the afternoon, we will utilize the 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. This will help us determine the best time of day to image these features during the Bagnold Dune campaign. By closely monitoring the dunes and surrounding bedrock, we hope to gather valuable data that will enhance our understanding of this unique Martian terrain.