[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: Nov 15-19, 2012

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:21:14 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201211262121.qAQLLEW2019155_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html#opportunity

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: 'Matijevic Hill' Survey Complete And Rover Passes
22 Miles Of Driving! - sols 3133-3136, Nov. 15, 2012-Nov. 19, 2012:

Opportunity has completed the local area survey around the location
called "Matijevic Hill" (named in honor of Jake Matijevic) at the
inboard edge of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

Now, the rover is focusing on conducting an in-situ (contact) science
campaign on some high-value surface targets. The rover drove 81 feet
(24.6 meters) on Sol 3133 (Nov. 15, 2012), approaching a candidate
surface target. Opportunity bumped into position for some robotic arm
work with a 31-inch (80-centimeter) forward move on Sol 3135 (Nov. 18.
2012).

On Sol 3133 (Nov. 15, 2012), the rover began to detect an increase in
atmospheric opacity (Tau). Coincident with that the Mars Color Imager
(MARCI) team on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) observed a large
regional dust storm, with high atmospheric opacity in the center of the
storm, heading in the direction of the rover. The project remained
vigilant over the weekend. Fortunately, the storm passed to the south of
the rover, but Opportunity continues to see an increase in atmospheric
dust.

As of Sol 3136 (Nov. 19, 2012), the solar array energy production was
539 watt-hours with an increased atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.897 and
a solar array dust factor of 0.612.

Total odometry is 22 miles (35,429.63 meters).
Received on Mon 26 Nov 2012 04:21:14 PM PST