Mars Rover Opportunity Update: Sampling ‘Chocolate Hills’

Opportunity Status for sol 2152-2157: Opportunity is positioned near the rim of the very young crater “Concepcion.”

The instruments on the rover’s robotic arm (IDD) have been investigating targets on the rock called “Chocolate Hills.” This rock is of interest because it exhibits a dark rind or crust that may be impact melt. On Sol 2152 (Feb. 11, 2010), the rover made a small turn to reposition the robotic arm for targets on the surface of the Chocolate Hills. On Sol 2154 (Feb. 14, 2010), the IDD collected a Microscopic Imager (MI) mosaic, then placed the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) on a light-colored rind called “Arogo.” On Sol 2157 (Feb. 17, 2010), the rover repeated these two sets of measurements on a target called “Tears.”

Further investigation of this rock is expected before the rover drives away. As of Sol 2157 (Feb. 17, 2010), the solar array energy production was 305 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.432 and a dust factor of 0.496. Total odometry is 19,335.35 meters (12 miles).