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NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity is currently navigating a challenging ridgeline known as “Devil’s Gate” as it continues its ascent of Mount Sharp within Gale Crater. The six-wheeled explorer reached this geological feature on its 4,500th Martian day, marking a significant stage in its ongoing mission to study the Red Planet.
Devil’s Gate: A Region of Geological Intrigue
Planetary geologist Michelle Minitti noted in a mission update that the area around Devil’s Gate is of considerable scientific interest due to the “interesting structures” present in the scattered rocks. An RMI (Remote Micro-Imager) mosaic was acquired to thoroughly document the ridge. However, these same rock formations pose a challenge for navigation, making it difficult to find stable ground for the rover.
Minitti mentioned that during the last drive, Curiosity’s front wheels were not completely on firm terrain, highlighting the tricky nature of the Martian landscape at Devil’s Gate.
Scientific Objectives at Devil’s Gate
Despite the navigational difficulties, the rock formations in the vicinity of the rover are rich in complex textures and structures, making them a prime target for scientific investigation. Mission specialists utilized Curiosity’s suite of scientific instruments to conduct chemical analyses of these rocks and generated a stereoscopic mosaic image. This three-dimensional representation will aid in a more detailed examination of their physical characteristics.
Beyond Devil’s Gate, the team also focused on imaging other notable geological features. According to Minitti, a second RMI mosaic was captured along the base of “Texoli” butte. Additionally, Mastcam was employed to create a mosaic of a bedrock expanse named “Maidenhair Falls,” which exhibits a distinctive wavy pattern.
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Curiosity’s Next Steps on Mars
Minitti stated that the current plan involves maneuvering Curiosity further around the base of Devil’s Gate ridgeline. Following this repositioning, the rover’s cameras will be used to capture images of the terrain it has traversed.
Atmospheric studies are also a key component of the ongoing activities. Observations of the Martian sky are scheduled at two different times of day – midday and early morning – to assess daily atmospheric variations. These observations include Navcam dust-devil and cloud movies, along with measurements of atmospheric dust levels. The early morning observation block will also include comprehensive cloud movies covering the entire Martian sky.