Wind Streaks Landscape and Boosts Rover Power Levels

Opportunity recently completed work on soil exposures north of the rim of Victoria Crater where winds channeled by alcoves have produced alternating light and dark streaks. The rover finished in-situ analyses with measurements at a target known as "Alicante," where there appears to be a concentration of dark sand on the downwind side of a rock, on sol 1149 (April 18, 2007). Analysis continues of data collected from this and other sites.

In addition, strong winds perhaps associated with channeling caused by the crater's jagged rim may have contributed to deck-cleaning events for Opportunity. On two separate occasions, sols 1153 (April 22, 2007) and 1158 (April 27, 2007), the solar array power increased significantly. In fact, the power level of 848 watt-hours, reached on sol 1160 (April 29, 2007), was the highest measured since about sol 300 (Nov. 26, 2004), early in the mission. (A watt-hour is the amount of power needed to light a 100-watt bulb for one hour.)

This orbital view was acquired by the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UofA/USGS

Source: NASA