Astrogeology Science Center

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.

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.

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.  

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...

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 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 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.

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.

Our weekend observations of the target Breamish showed some interesting chemistry results (which always make our scientists exclaim “O frabjous day!...

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.

You won’t want to miss out on Geomorphological evidence for a dry dust avalanche origin of slope streaks on Mars!