NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover

This latest abrasion patch is the third we've taken on Witch Hazel Hill, on the exterior rim of Jezero Crater, all within the last month. For comparison:

• Abrasion patch 33, sol 1375 (where Percy subsequently grabbed that crumbly core sample just this week)
• Abrasion patch 34, sol 1395

Percy is getting busy!

post drive tiled navcam

In a research article [...] a team led by Brian Jackson (Boise State University) described how they used information from Ingenuity to measure the speed and direction of Mars’s winds.

Previously, Jackson had carried out field experiments on Earth with a small drone to show that wind parameters could be extracted from an aircraft’s attitude data. Building on that proof-of-concept study, Jackson’s team used models to understand how Ingenuity’s attitude would change in response to winds of varying speed and direction.

The team calculated wind speeds ranging from 4.1 to 24.3 meters per second [...] Compared to meteorological models, the measured speeds tended to be higher than expected and the wind directions did not always match. These differences might reflect the influence of localized geological features, like craters and scarps that whip the wind in highly variable directions, that the models do not fully capture.

Jackson’s team found it unlikely that the higher speeds measured at Ingenuity’s higher altitude were the result of random fluctuations; instead, they proposed a physical explanation rooted in the aerodynamic conditions upwind of the rover and helicopter.

Accurate measurements of wind speeds on Mars can help scientists investigate our neighboring planet’s surface processes and dust transport, as well as help to plan safe entry, descent, and landing for future missions.

erseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving.

This image was acquired on Jan. 28, 2025 (Sol 1401) at the local mean solar time of 16:11:43.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

First coring attempt since sol 1215, when Perseverance was still down in Neretva Vallis (~6 months ago). That attempt was clearly successful on the first try, as this MastCam image from that date readily showed. Here's a shot taken from the same angle on 1401, with no sample apparent in the tube.

It's worth recalling that this target proved to be very friable (prone to crumbling) the last time Percy interacted with it, when the sol 1375 abrasion patch was made earlier in January.

The science team must really want a sample of this stuff! I am very much looking forward to the next mission update!

A short drive to site 66.000 on sol 1400 (January 27, 2025).

The new location is overlooking an earlier abrasion patch at site 64.2278 that the rover reached back on sol 1363.

The attached image is a very roughly processed cropped mosaic using six L-NavCam tiles from some post drive images.

The mosaic highlights some of the recent rover wheel tracks as it continues its exploration outside Jezero crater.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Dust devils in Arabia Terra - Perseverance NavCam - Sol 1398

This enhanced processing of Navcam Left images shows several dust devils moving across the floor of Arabia Terra, just outside of Jezero crater.

The largest dust devil in the foreground is at least 300 meters high (328 yards).

The largest dust devil starts at the edge of the crater which is located 1 kilometer east of the rover’s location (~5/8 mile)

For scale the crater floor viewed from this direction is close to 220 meters wide (722 ft)

The original sequence lasts about 2.5 minutes, and was taken around 12:26 local mean solar time.

This is a reduced resolution version of the animation by Simeon Schmauß.

You can find the full resolution (wider) MP4 version on Flickr using this link

In this GIF, I see three dust devils, it looks like there are at least 4 in the full size (uncropped) version on Flickr.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Simeon Schmauß

(See map in comments)

The video has a fair summary of recent work by Perseverance, and a suggestion as to why the rover may have turned around to climb back uphill.

(The latest abrasion patch was more interesting than Mars Guy lets on in the video, but it's worth a watch nonetheless)

Drive was 138.5 meters / 454 ft, with a climb of 27 meters / 88.57 ft

Full drive data from JPL's JSON feed:

The post-drive NavCam tiled image looking at the earlier abrasion site (sol 1363)

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/UofA

Walkabout: A long drive on sol 1397 (January 23, 2025) takes Perseverance back to a location overlooking site 64.2278.

It reached that site back on sol 1363 (December 20, 2024), spend the rest of 2025 there and even performed an abrasion there.

Attached is one of the post-drive 4-tile (roughly processed) NavCams from site 65.0802. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z telephoto camera (at full zoom, 110 mm).

Part of a multispectral imaging study using different filters, this image used no filters.

Mastcam-Z is a pair of zoomable stereo cameras located high on the rover's mast.

This image was acquired on January 23, 2025 (Sol 1396) at the local mean solar time of 14:04:16.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

#Mars #PerseveranceRover #Perseverance #MarsRover #NASA #Science #Space #Exploration #SolarRocks

Mars Perseverance Sol 1395: Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera (Hazcam)

NASA/JPL-Caltech/j. Roger

Source: https://fosstodon.org/@[email protected]/113873261981958706

A closeup of the abrasion patch using the SHERLOC WATSON camera (unprocessed raw image).

This camera is located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm.

This image was acquired on January 22, 2025 (Sol 1395) at the local mean solar time of 13:08:18.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Sol 1395 (January 22, 2025)

2 images from site 65.0, the recent one featuring a new abrasion patch.

Sol 1395 R-NavCam tile, and a tile acquired during sol 1381.

Comparing the images indicates displacement of some regolith, movement of some pebbles, and apparent settlement of the some fractured sections of the rock.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Just making a thread for anyone who wants to commiserate about the lack of new images from Percy of late. Mods, feel free to delete if this doesn't belong here.

We shouldn't ever forget that many many JPL employees have lost their homes, which is more than just a "bummer". They might be launching their stuff into space, but the work of people at the lab is appreciated and its absence is felt in people's daily lives too.

Not my best work. tried to edit in further coverage, but it isn't truly seamless.

The finished old one:

The link to view the 4.5-billion-pixel panorama is available in the video description.

Take a virtual journey to Jezero Crater with NASA’s Perseverance Rover. This stunning 4.5-billion-pixel panorama, created from 854 Mastcam-Z images, captures a 360° view from Lookout Hill on the crater’s rim crest. The result is a high-resolution masterpiece that offers an extraordinary look at both the rover and the Martian landscape.

The panorama provides a complete view of Perseverance, allowing you to examine its intricate design in incredible detail. Every component is visible, showcasing the engineering brilliance that powers this groundbreaking mission.

The Martian terrain stretches out around the rover, with its tracks cutting a path into the distance. The Jezero Crater rim, visible on the horizon, features rugged rock formations and textured sands that add depth to this remarkable scene.

Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply curious about Mars, this panorama delivers an immersive experience like no other. Zoom in, explore, and discover the wonders of the Red Planet—click to start your adventure!

NASA's Mars Exploration Program Source images credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Stitching and retouching: Andrew Bodrov / 360pano.eu

#Mars360 #Video360 #360VR #Mars #Sol1356 #Perseverance #Gigapixel

This photo was selected by public vote and featured as "Image of the Week" for Week 204 (Jan. 5 - 11, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.

NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast.

The raw image was acquired on Jan. 7, 2025 (Sol 1381) at the local mean solar time of 11:29:32.

I have roughly processed this image. The raw image can be found here

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Mars Guy Episode 197

The wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area have been devastating to those in its path, including the community adjacent to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The consequences of this tragedy have now reached all the way to Mars.

A link to the Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund is included in the video description.

The fires that spread destruction across the Los Angeles region this week and killed at least 11 people have spared two famed scientific facilities: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which has spearheaded planetary missions and astronomy efforts, and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory. While the Eaton blaze that has destroyed nearly 14,000 acres and 7000 buildings in Altadena and Pasadena stayed an appreciable distance away from JPL, flames from that fire continued to climb towards Mount Wilson until eventually stopping at the edge of the observatory’s grounds on 9 January.

“Thanks to the efforts of our firefighters and observatory staff, no buildings or infrastructure have been destroyed” at these facilities, said Anthony Marrone, the LA county fire chief, in a press briefing this afternoon. Still, JPL director Laura Leshin said on X that more than 150 of her staff have lost their homes to fire. And some Mount Wilson employee have evacuated and don’t know when they can return. “For us, the story is about our employees, and not about the facility” says Veronica McGregor, a spokesperson for JPL.

In preparation for the Eaton fire, one of six scattered across Los Angeles, JPL moved operations of its Deep Space Network, an international network that commands and communicates with space-based missions, to a back-up operations center and instructed all employees to work from home.

We have to expect reduced commanding of the rovers and associated downlink of new images

Text:- JPL to Remain Closed Until Monday, January 13 2025

Posted on January 08, 2025 at 11:51 AM

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is within the mandatory evacuation zone for the Eaton Fire and is closed to employees and visitors on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The laboratory will remain closed until Monday, Jan 13. Additional updates on the Laboratory’s status will be posted on this site (emergency.jpl.nasa.gov).

Currently, JPL facilities, labs and hardware are secured and protected. Deep Space Network operations, normally conducted at JPL, have been moved offsite to a back-up operations center.

As of Tuesday night, employees were directed to work from home, with only a small number of critical personnel on-site Wednesday morning. Our Protective Services Department is maintaining constant communication with the Eaton Fire emergency command center, and the Laboratory is currently receiving assistance from the LA County Fire Department.

Also on Tuesday night, the mesa above JPL was made available to support firefighting helicopters; however, flights were cancelled due to high winds. The mesa remains available to assist firefighting efforts aimed at protecting nearby neighborhoods and JPL itself.

The safety of our employees is our top priority. We also keep our neighboring communities—many of which are home to our employees and their families—in our thoughts as they endure the challenges and devastation of this fire.