Astrogeology Science Center
News
Curiosity Blogs: Sol 2918: A short but sweet day of planning
The science team decided to stay at the Groken drill location a little bit longer to let SAM have a taste of this interesting sample. See it in the Hazcam image below.
Terror on Mars: The Asphyxiation of Opportunity
The Ghostbusters are not afraid of ghosts and the robotic explorers of our time are not afraid of the challenges encountered in space. Rovers just go. They follow issued commands, and do their work, but eventually die alone.
The truth about a terrifying lava skylight where only the trained should lurk
A lava skylight is not seen by most people as being particularly scary since it is just an opening in the roof above a lava tube from which the flowing lava can be seen. Dr. Laszlo Kestay, a volcanologist at the Astrogeology Science Center, explains this genuinely scary skylight that some people believe resembles a doorway to hell.
Curiosity Blogs: Sols 2887-2889: Ok CheMin, now it’s your turn!
We’ve been talking a lot about SAM analyses of the “Mary Anning 3” sample, but in today’s 3-sol weekend plan, it’s CheMin’s turn to shine. The weekend plan is focused on dropping off part of the “Mary Anning 3” sample to CheMin and analyzing what minerals are present. The plan also includes preparing SAM for upcoming analyses by cleaning GC columns 1 and 2, and a script update.
Curiosity Blogs: Sols 2880-2882: MSL's SAM TMAH AOK!
Our SAM TMAH experiment was successful! For those who don’t speak fluent rover team alphabet soup, as we described the other day, the SAM TMAH experiment is a long-awaited...
Curiosity Blogs: Sols 2874-2876: No sample dropoff to SAM
At the beginning of tactical planning today, we expected the weekend plan to include dropoff of some of the drill sample to the SAM instrument, but it was later recognized that the detailed requirements for the dropoff and SAM analysis could not be met today. So the arm and SAM activities had to be removed from the plan, freeing up power for other observations.
Curiosity Blog on Sols 2860-2863: The Dog Days of Summer
Curiosity is still at the Mary Anning drill location, investigating the chemistry and sedimentary structures in this vicinity. As we continue to dig into the science at this location, the team is having some fun with naming targets. Today the team decided to name a nearby ChemCam target “Tray,” after paleontologist Mary Anning’s faithful dog helped her with fossil hunting.
Planetary Mapping an Undeniable Tradition at ASC
Planetary geologic mapping began in 1962 at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and continues today at the Astrogeology Science Center (ASC). Geologic maps depict the distribution of rocks and sediments at the surface of a planet. They provide a standardized, easy-to-interpret format to assist both scientists and enthusiasts in understanding the geologic evolution of a planet.
Mars 2020 Mission to be Guided by USGS Astrogeology Maps
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – When you’re planning to explore someplace new, it’s always a good idea to bring a map so you can avoid dangerous terrain. This is true whether you’re heading out for a hike on Earth or you’re landing a rover on Mars.
Sols 2829-2830: Come to my arms my Breamish boy!
Our weekend observations of the target Breamish showed some interesting chemistry results (which always make our scientists exclaim “O frabjous day!...
COVID-19 Gives Lemons: Flagstaff Festival of Science Makes Lemonade
Flagstaff residents don’t need to wonder if the Annual Festival of Science will convene this year since organizers are one stride ahead and have been devising a plan for this exciting community activity to proceed. Astrogeology Science teams plan to be there.
Publication Reveals New Insights into Mysterious Slope Streaks on Mars
You won’t want to miss out on Geomorphological evidence for a dry dust avalanche origin of slope streaks on Mars!