Curiosity is still parked at Namib dune, and we are we are close to finishing the science investigation here. The team is still working to diagnose the CHIMRA anomaly, but the arm was cleared for use in today’s plan.

The science activities in today’s plan include some additional MAHLI images to supplement the previously acquired selfie, and some long-distance ChemCam RMI mosaics to study layering on Mt. Sharp and the northern crater rim. We’ll also acquire a Mastcam image to document the target "Erongo," and use Navcam to search for dust devils and monitor the atmosphere. Then we’ll use MAHLI to document several of the scoop and dump locations. There’s also an early science block on the morning of Sol 1242, during which Mastcam and Navcam will image the ripple target "Epupa" under favorable morning illumination conditions. I’ll be on duty later this week so I’m catching up on our remaining science requirements at this location.

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

Since the anomaly with CHIMRA is still being investigated,
there was no science involving the arm in today’s plan. Still, there was plenty
to do, and we had to be careful not to collect too much extra data because
there is a backlog of data on the rover waiting to be downlinked to Earth.

On Sol 1239 we
planned a bunch of observations of a target called "Gosser Schroffenstein" in
the area called "Mniszechis Vlei" (I am really enjoying the names list lately) where
the rover’s wheel scuff in the sand exposed a tiny scarp or cliff in the sand.
This little scarp gives us a good view of the fine-scaled layering in the top
few centimeters of the dune. ChemCam will take an RMI mosaic of Gosser
Schroffenstein, followed by an active LIBS analysis targeting the face of the
scarp. After that, the RMI mosaic will be repeated to see if the laser pulses
caused any changes in the delicate sand scarp. Once ChemCam is done, Mastcam
will take a 5 image stereo mosaic of the whole Mniszechis Vlei area. Mastcam
also has another change detection observation of the target "Hebron" and Navcam
has an atmospheric observation. Once the science is done on Sol 1239, we will
do some more diagnostics on the CHIMRA. Later in the day on Sol 1239, CheMin
will analyze some of the sand that was collected previously.

On Sol 1240 ChemCam has a few passive (no laser) observations
of the Mastcam and ChemCam calibration targets. These are followed by a couple
of long-distance RMI mosaics of Mt. Sharp. These are observations that I have
been advocating for recently, so it was nice to be able to fit them in the plan
today while I was on duty as the ChemCam science PUL. Mastcam will take color
images to help document the long distance RMI mosaics, and will repeat the
change detection observations of Hebron a couple more times. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

The cause of the CHIMRA anomaly is still being investigated, so no arm
motion was planned today while diagnostic testing continues. Because
only remote science observations are allowed, it was a straightforward
day for me as SOWG Chair and for the rest of the tactical science team.
The only challenge was that the volume of data expected to be received
in time for planning on Friday
is less than usual because MRO is performing some planned maintenance
this week and cannot relay data from MSL. Fortunately, it looks like we
will be able to get all the critical data via the Mars Odyssey orbiter.



In addition to the CHIMRA diagnostic tests on Sol 1237, ChemCam and
Mastcam will image the alluvial fan northeast of the rover, at the base
of the Gale crater wall . Mastcam and Navcam will also take stereo images of the edge of the area
disturbed by the wheel scuff, named "Mniszechis Vlei." I don't know how
to pronounce that name, and didn't even try!



The command to allow SAM to analyze the sample of dune sand was not
received, so we'll try again overnight between Sols 1237 and 1238. Then during the day on Sol 1238 ChemCam will observe the sky and
continue checking out new software that will allow autonomous ChemCam
targeting. Mastcam change detection observations of the sand dune are
also sprinkled throughout the plan. Finally, just after sunset the RMI
will take images of the sky for instrument calibration. We have been
trying to plan this observation for weeks, and were glad to be able to
include it in today's plan.



by Ken Herkenhoff
Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

I'm scheduled as MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead today, and was looking forward to planning more close-up imaging as the Namib dune campaign continues. Unfortunately, the CHIMRA behaved in an unexpected way during processing
of the third scoop on Sol 1231, which prevented completion of the arm
activities planned for last weekend. While experts evaluate the
anomalous behavior and develop a recovery plan, no new arm activities
will be planned. So I didn't have much to do today and focused on what should be done after the anomaly is resolved.



The Sol 1235 plan includes ChemCam and Mastcam change-detection images of Hebron and new observations of the scuff floor target Husab. In addition, ChemCam will analyze bedrock target "Etjo" and Mastcam will image CHIMRA to confirm its configuration. Overnight, SAM will

analyze the 0.15-1.0 mm size fraction of the dune sand. Before dawn on Sol 1236, ChemCam will search for evidence of water frost on both fine sand and the Etjo bedrock target. After sunrise, the ChemCam RMI and Right Mastcam will take pictures of the same frost targets, then Mastcam and Navcam will acquire an early-morning set of photometry images. Later that sol, ChemCam will observe the sky and Mastcam will repeat the Hebron observation to look for changes. Finally, Mastcam and Navcam will repeat the photometry observation later in the morning of Sol 1237.



by Ken Herkenhoff
Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

We are steadily continuing to check things off of the long "To
Do" list for our stop at Namib Dune. This weekend’s plan starts on sol 1232
with a day dedicated to analyzing the sand samples with SAM. Then, on Sol 1233 we will
start off with Mastcam change detection on the target "Hebron" and then a "multispectral"
observation of the target "Hakos" using all of Mastcam’s different color filters.
Next up, ChemCam has an RMI mosaic of "Gobabeb" dump pile A and then an
analysis of the vein target "Sanitatis". Next MAHLI will take a bunch of pictures of
the various dump piles and scoops in the dune.

On sol 1234, we have a long, busy science block full of
Mastcam and ChemCam. It starts off with Mastcam multispectral observations of
the Sanitatis vein, and of dump piles C,D,E, and F. This is followed by some
Mastcam atmospheric observations of the sun and the crater rim to help
determine the amount of dust in the atmosphere. ChemCam will then analyze dump
piles C and D, first with the laser off to get the reflectance spectra, and
then with the laser on to get chemical composition. ChemCam will also use the
laser to analyze the soil target "Dwyka" and then will finish up with a long
distance RMI mosaic of Mt. Sharp. Then we will take Mastcam images of each of
the ChemCam targets. We will finish up the science block with some photometry
images from Mastcam and Navcam to help understand how light scatters off the
Martian surface, and then some Navcam atmospheric monitoring movies. Finally,
APXS will analyze dump pile B overnight.

The weekend plan also includes an early morning science
block on the morning of sol 1235, which will contain more Navcam movies,
Mastcam observations of atmospheric dust, and a repeat of the photometry
experiment at a different time of day to capture a different lighting angle. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

Our campaign to analyze "Namib Dune" continues! In the sol
1230-1231 plan the main event is dropping off some sand in the SAM instrument,
but some of the other instruments got a workout too. The sol 1230 plan
originally included a science block with some ChemCam, Mastcam, and Navcam
observations, but unfortunately that had to be cut to save power, so those
observations will have to happen over the weekend. With the science block
removed, the first activity on sol 1230 is a Mastcam observation of the SAM inlet.
After this, the rover will drop off a sample of sand for SAM to analyze. Then
while the arm is active MAHLI will observe the dump piles, including some
night-time observations using the built-in LEDs to illuminate the piles. APXS also has a couple of overnight
measurements on two of the dump piles.

On Sol 1231, we will start off with some Navcam and Hazcam
images to document where APXS was making its measurements, plus Mastcam
observations of the SAM inlet again. This will be followed by some arm activities
to clean out the components of the sample handling system. Then we'll dive back
in and collect another scoop of material from the dune, sieve it, and deliver
it to SAM too. Finally, APXS will be placed on another of our dump piles for an
overnight measurement. And of course REMS and DAN will be collecting data each
sol of the plan as usual. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

Our campaign to analyze the Bagnold dunes continues! In the Sol 1228 plan we have a bunch of arm activity, starting with a rover "selfie"
in front of the sand dune, followed by scooping up and sieving a sample of
sand. Mastcam and MAHLI will both thoroughly document the scooping process.
Mastcam also has a change detection observation of the target "Hebron".

On Sol 1229, Mastcam will repeat that change detection
observation two more times. Mastcam also has observations of the dump piles
from the scoop target "Gobabeb", plus a Mastcam and Navcam photometry
experiment. ChemCam will take passive spectra of the Gobabeb dump piles,
followed by active analysis of dump pile A. That will be followed by atmospheric
observations by Mastcam and Navcam.

In the afternoon on Sol 1229, ChemCam will analyze dump pile
B, and Mastcam will take another change detection image of Hebron. The Mastcam
and Navcam photometry experiment will also collect a few more images on sol
1229. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

As seen in the images above, the arm activities on Sols 1223-1224 went well, and we’re ready for even more contact science in the 3-sol weekend plan. To kick things off, ChemCam will analyze the composition of the wall of the scuff and will also document a sharp-crested ripple with the RMI. Then Mastcam will document the ChemCam target and look for sand movement. Overnight, APXS will be used to measure the composition of the background undisturbed sand. On the second sol, a fine-grained portion of sand ( 150 microns) portions, and analyze the fine-grained dump pile with MAHLI and APXS. The third sol includes a Mastcam change-detection activity, followed by Navcam to monitor the deck to search for the movement of fines. Overnight, CheMin will analyze the sample that was delivered the previous sol. Phew! Sounds like a busy weekend for Curiosity!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team.

Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

The Sol 1221 drive went well, including a wheel scuff in the dark sand dune , and the rover is in a good position for contact science. The Sol 1223-1224 plan is therefore loaded with arm activities, limited by the
available power. First, MAHLI will take pictures of a couple of
locations on the dune surface that has not been disturbed by the wheels,
and of sand that was disturbed by the wheel scuff. Then the APXS will
be placed as close as possible to the scuffed sand for an overnight
integration. On Sol 1224, the scoop will be used to acquire a sample of
the undisturbed dune sand. This sample will be sieved and the finest
material (less than 0.15 mm diameter grains) will be dropped into the
SAM inlet. SAM will then analyze the sample overnight, into the wee
hours of Sol 1225. I'm paying close attention to planning today because
I'm scheduled to serve as SOWG Chair on Friday .



by Ken Herkenhoff
Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

MSL has recovered from the motor controller anomaly, so tactical
operations are back on track, with a drive to the dune sampling area
planned for Sol 1221. I helped the ChemCam team select targets for LIBS
and RMI observations today. Before the drive, ChemCam will observe a
target named "Probeer" on a patch of bedrock in front of the rover . Mastcam will also image Probeer and acquire a stereo mosaic of the
nearby part of the Namib dune. After the drive, in addition to the
imaging planned to support arm work and targeted remote sensing, Navcam
will acquire a small mosaic of the upper part of Mt. Sharp. Overnight, SAM will measure the abundance of methane in the atmosphere,
then Navcam and Mastcam will look for clouds and dust early in the
morning of Sol 1222. Later that sol, Mastcam and RMI will image the
wall of a ~4 km-diameter crater about 30 km to the west. ChemCam and
Mastcam will then observe the sky, and Mastcam will acquire a small
stereo mosaic to look for changes in the nearby dune. Throughout the plan, REMS will measure wind speeds for comparison with any motion of sand observed by the cameras.



by Ken Herkenhoff
Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.