Curiosity’s New Plan for Garden City: Investigating Mars’ Veins and Atmosphere

The weekend plan for the Curiosity rover was not as successful as expected, but this has not dampened the team’s spirits. In fact, they are more determined than ever to uncover the mysteries of “Garden City.” To achieve this, they have devised a two-sol plan that will focus on investigating the dark and light portions of the veins at this location.

To analyze these veins, Curiosity will use its MAHLI and APXS instruments. Additionally, ChemCam and Mastcam observations will be used to look for variations in chemistry between the dark and light portions of the veins. The team is excited about this new approach and believes it will provide valuable insights into the geology of the area.

As part of its environmental monitoring activities, Curiosity will measure atmospheric composition and opacity. It will also search for dust devils in the area. The images received so far indicate that Garden City is a complex outcrop that warrants further exploration. This new plan is designed to help them delve deeper into this mystery and uncover more insights about Mars’ landscape.

Overall, despite some initial setbacks, Curiosity continues to provide valuable data that enhances our understanding of Mars’ geology. With each new discovery made, we gain a better appreciation for this fascinating planet.