Examining target 'Olive Leaf'; Circling the meteorite
Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 14:02 UTC
Spirit is continuing remote sensing and in situ science while positioned at her embedded location on the west side of Home Plate.
On Sol 2015 (Sept. 3, 2009), a Mössbauer (MB) integration was completed on target "Olive Leaf." On the next sol, a rock abrasion tool (RAT) calibration and a RAT diagnostics were performed, then the APXS was placed on Olive Leaf for an overnight integration. On the sol after that, the robotic arm (instrument deployment device, or IDD) positioned the microscopic imager (MI) to take an image of the capture magnet on the rover deck. Then the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) was placed on that magnet for a multi-sol integration.
The panoramic camera (Pancam) was busy taking 13-filter images of "Scamander Plains" and documentary images of the rover deck.
Ground testing continued at JPL with tests using the Mars-weight surface system testbed (SSTB Lite) rover with its center-of-gravity over a rock.
As of Sol 2021 (Sept. 3, 2009), Spirit's solar-array energy production is 418 watt-hours, with an increased atmospheric opacity (tau) of 1.65 and a dust factor of 0.669. Rover power plans have been conservative because of the elevated atmospheric opacity. Total odometry remains at 7,729.93 meters (4.80 miles).
Opportunity has commenced circumnavigation and full-circle imaging of the large meteorite "Block Island".
On Sol 1997 (Sept. 5, 2009), the rover moved 5.7 meters (18.7 feet) to the second of six stand-off positions around the meteorite (the first position being the initial rover location). At each location Opportunity collects a set of images with the panoramic camera (Pancam).
On Sol 1999 (Sept. 7, 2009), Opportunity drove about 4 meters (13 feet) to the third position. The plan is to complete the circumnavigation of the meteorite before departing this location.
On Sol 1995 (Sept. 3, 2009), a solar-array dust-cleaning event occurred.
As of Sol 2000 (Sept. 8, 2009), Opportunity's solar-array energy production is 527 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.475 and a dust factor improved to 0.6145. The rover's total odometry is 17,238.97 meters (10.71 miles).
| Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory | |
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