Скачать или смотреть Curiosity Blog, Sols 4609–4610 - Recharged and Ready To Roll Onwards

Sometimes even rovers need a breather — and after a power-hungry weekend running SAM atmospheric measurements, Curiosity took a short pause to recharge its batteries. Instead of a long drive, the team turned this bonus time into an opportunity to take a closer look at the hollow nestled between the rugged boxwork ridges. This quiet pause turned out to be scientifically rich.

In this workspace, the science team zeroed in on some unusual light-toned, rounded pebbles scattered across the surface. These small, white stones stand out sharply against the darker bedrock, hinting at a different geologic history. ChemCam zapped a pebble named “Yana Qaqa,” while Mastcam documented it alongside another pebble at “Ojos del Salado” and a striking, dendritic-textured rock called “Punta de Lobos.” Each tiny detail adds another clue to Gale Crater’s evolving story.

Looking outward, Mastcam mosaics surveyed nearby ridges, troughs, and the next stretch of terrain, while ChemCam’s RMI zoomed in on “Cueva de los Vencejos y Murciélagos” and the distant Mishe Mokwa hill. These long distance studies help map the path ahead while building a wider geologic context.

And of course, Curiosity never stops watching the sky 🌬️☁️. Atmospheric monitoring included Navcam dust-devil surveys, suprahorizon cloud movies, and Mastcam tau observations to track dust levels. Add in the steady work of REMS, RAD, and DAN, instruments that have been tirelessly running since landing almost 13 years ago, and it’s clear the rover is doing double duty: exploring rocks and studying the Martian climate.

The plan closed with a 24-meter (79 ft) drive, carrying Curiosity out of the hollow and back up onto a ridge. From this higher ground, the rover will scout the best routes forward. With boxwork ridges up to 5 meters (16 ft) across, the team is cautiously optimistic: maybe Curiosity can cruise along the very top of these features, unlocking their secrets layer by layer. The recharge is complete — and the adventure rolls on. 🔍🌄

@OurGalaxy83

📸 Captured by: Left Navigation Camera
📅 Image Date: July 20, 2025 (Sol 4605) at 18:51:55 UTC
🗓️ Earth Planning Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
✍️ Written by Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, Planetary Geologist at the University of New Brunswick
🎶 Audio Editing: O.G. 83
🎬 Video Editing: O.G. 83
🎨 Visual Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

#Mars #CuriosityRover #NASA #MarsExploration #MarsScience #RedPlanet #MarsGeology #BoxworkTerrain #SpaceExploration #PlanetaryScience #Astrobiology #GaleCrater #MarsMission #ExploringMars #CuriosityOnMars #MartianRocks #ScienceOnMars #RoboticExploration #MarsUpdate #MarsResearch #MarsClimate #DustDevils #OurGalaxy83