NASA Mars Rover Opportunity Update: December 19-26, 2012

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: sols 3166-3173, Dec. 19, 2012-Dec. 26, 2012: Working Through The Holidays

Opportunity is on the inboard edge of “Cape York” on the rim of Endeavour Crater, positioned at a location called “Copper Cliff.”

Over the long holiday period, the rover has been stationary and conducting in-situ (contact) science investigations with the robotic arm instruments, including the Microscopic Imager (MI) and Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS). Assessments of atmospheric opacity and measurements of atmospheric argon are also being performed.

As of Sol 3173 (Dec. 19, 2012), the solar array energy production was down to 485 watt-hours, with an increased atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 1.02 and a solar array dust factor of 0.594.

Total odometry is 22.02 miles (35438.37 meters).