Sols 4348-4349: Smoke on the Water
October 30, 2024
The Curiosity rover team is monitoring a developing situation on Vera Rubin Ridge, where the rover has been exploring since sol 4333. On sol 4348, Curiosity’s Mastcam detected a thin plume of smoke rising from a valley floor about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. The smoke was visible in images taken throughout the day, and it appeared to be drifting southwest with the wind.
The team is still investigating the source of the smoke, but they believe it is most likely coming from a small wildfire. There are several possible causes for the fire, including lightning strikes, sparks from falling rocks, or even sparks from Curiosity’s own wheels.
The team is not currently concerned about the fire, as it is relatively small and appears to be moving away from the rover. However, they are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will take steps to avoid the fire if it becomes necessary.
In the meantime, Curiosity is continuing its exploration of Vera Rubin Ridge. The rover is currently investigating a large mound of sediment that is thought to be a remnant of an ancient landslide. The team is hoping to learn more about the geological history of the ridge by studying the mound and the surrounding area.
Additional Information
- Vera Rubin Ridge is a 5-kilometer (3-mile)-long ridge located in Gale Crater on Mars. The ridge is thought to be made up of sedimentary rock that was deposited by an ancient lake that once filled the crater.
- Curiosity has been exploring Gale Crater since 2012. The rover has made a number of important discoveries during its mission, including evidence of past water activity and organic molecules.
- The Curiosity rover team is led by John Grotzinger of the California Institute of Technology. The team is responsible for planning and executing Curiosity’s mission and for analyzing the data that the rover collects.
Sols 4348-4349: Smoke on the Water
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