Sol 4696: R-MastCam (3x3 mosaic)

Assembled from 9 overlapping Bayer reconstructed frames using MS-ICE.

A NavCam frame from the same sol provides context for the mosaic.

The images highlight a section of the ridge wall of a shallow depression that the rover is stationed inside.

These shallow depressions and ridges form the geological feature the team dubbed ‘Boxworks’.

The rover has been exploring this Boxworks terrain for around 3 months, and has just drilled a hole to extract powdered rock for analysis.

Images returned in the last couple of days suggest a sample has already been placed in SAM for testing.

Due to the government shutdown JPL can not provide mission updates, but testing of the sample will take many days as it is a power intense operation.

Watch this space

Credits:NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk