Mars rover update - Opportunity Status for sol 43 - More Mojo

NASA - JPL ^ | 03-08-2004 | NASA

[Phil V.]

Daily Updates - March 8, 2004

Opportunity Status for sol 43 More Mojo posted Mar. 8, 5:15 pm PST

On sol 43, which ended at 11:31 a.m. PST on Monday, March 8, Opportunity awoke to ''You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)" by Bruce Springsteen in recognition of the fact that the rock abrasion tool grind did not touch the surface of its rock target on sol 42.

Using a combination of microscopic images, hazard avoidance camera images, and rock abrasion tool tests on sol 43, Opportunity’s engineering team discovered that the grind motor of the rock abrasion tool on Mars stalled prematurely during what’s called the "seek/scan" phase when the rock abrasion tool instrument searches for the rock face. This resulted in no contact during the actual grind activity on sol 42. The most likely causes of the stall are dust and dirt accumulations and temperature variations on the instrument. The tests also confirmed that engineers can safely increase the motor voltage on the instrument to prevent a future stall.

In the process of conducting the rock abrasion tool activities, Opportunity placed the Moessbauer spectrometer on "Mojo 2," a target on "Flat Rock."

The remainder of the sol included preparations for the future target in this area, dubbed "Berry Bowl," taking pictures with the panoramic and navigation cameras. Opportunity also took ground and atmospheric measurements with the miniature thermal emission spectrometer.

The plan for sol 44, which ends at 12:10 p.m. PST on Tuesday, March 9 is to grind into "Mojo 2" using the rock abrasion tool and then to research the rock’s chemical composition using the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer and the Moessbauer spectrometer.

[Robe]

Where The %$^# can ya get 3d glasses ???????

[Fitzcarraldo]

Here's the PDF: http://www.mit.edu/~watters/watters_etal_paleobio_2001.pdf

[Fitzcarraldo]

I think it's significant they brought out Grotzinger at the "water" press conference in DC. He's the "stealth" ancient life guy we didn't they had on this team.

[FreedomCalls]

Where The %$^# can ya get 3d glasses ???????

Blockbuster will give them to you for free if you ask nicely, otherwise they will charge you a few dollars for a four-pack.

[Robe]

BINGO...... Thanks a bunch

[Fitzcarraldo]

Look familiar?

Digital Reconstruction Methods: An Application to Calcified Early Metazoans

[Phil V.]

Anything to add to this thread?

[geopyg]

The "fossils" that you are seeing - you mean the repetitive - segmented looking things? Perhaps. Could they be from the grinding tool? Especially on such a hard surface?

[Aracelis]

Sorry Phil, been taking care of a sick hubby while trying to study for an exam. Now I'm sick with the bug too. Couple more days and I should be back.

[Tunehead54]

Great link - Thanks! ;-)

For others - lots of Mars pics including 3D pics: http://www.lyle.org/mars/synth/

[MaryFromMichigan]

I've found mold in the lid of a gallon of bleach.

Life is found in extremely harsh conditions on Earth.
With evidence of water, I would be a little surprised not to find some evidence of life (past or present) on Mars.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Where The %$^# can ya get 3d glasses ???????



Here- you can borrow mine.
Please return them when you're through.

[CJ Wolf]

thanks phil for the ping. Cool stuff out there.

[Darksheare]

Sothey had the grinder stop on them without warning?
Weird.