Science Summary:

UHF localization results were available to the SOWG and showed the rover was located in the top center of MOC image 15176-01in a flat lying area dissected by many canyons. Through remote sensing and in-situ data we are exploring the geologic context and compositional diversity in the area and are developing a picture of the physical characteristics and stratigraphy of the site. We are developing and testing hypotheses to explain the characteristics and stratigraphy we are seeing.

A major feature that has been observed is the crossbedding seen in Kaibab and other outcrops. The issue is whether this crossbedding is water or aeolian in nature. The arkosic composition suggested by color and compositional data, absence of carbonate in soil spectral data, and the discontinuous nature of thick cross-bedded units imply that the section is probably terrestrial, not marine, in nature, suggesting the crossbedding is sedimentary or volcanic (or possibly something else?).

A current working hypothesis proposes that Kaibab is a fluvial "red bed" sequence. This hypothesis is supported by the lack of lateral persistence in the crossbedded basal outcrop we see. In addition, the absence of carbonate would not be unusual in a red bed. This hypothesis suggests that the rover is likely to be in an environment with localized channels that migrate periodically, with floodplain sequences replacing the channel sequences.

To test the hypotheses on the origin of the crossbedding requires compositional data of the basal outcrop and caprock units. This will verify the presence or absence of carbonates, feldspar, and kaolinite, providing evidence that the crossbedding could be of volcanic rather than fluvial origin.

MI data suggests that the soil in the floor of the channel is coarse, but there are aggregates that may be held together. So there may be clay clumps in soils, rather than pure clay components.

Tactical Operations:

The rover and instruments remain healthy, although the poor APXS data from sol 7 is being evaluated further.

The focus for sol 10 was to continue the multisol approach to Kaibab, which displays crossbedding either fluvial or aeolian in origin. Although Paramour is a similar target, the illumination favors Kaibab at this time. It was hoped that at the end of this portion of the approach to Kaibab the rover would be in a position to touch and go on Plainfield as a target of opportunity. Unfortunately, the rover overshot, Plainfield was too close to the rover to deploy the IDD on sol 10, and the decision was made to forego the touch and go in order to reach Kaibab as soon as possible. After this traverse the typical suite of remote sensing observations were acquired: front and rear hazcams and a 360deg Navcam panorama.

Before beginning the approach to Kaibab, pre-drive remote sensing was acquired which included a Pancam panorama filling in gaps from the Kaibab panorama from sol 9, MiniTES observations of the sky for the Atmosphere STG, and three observations traveling up the stratigraphy of the tall outcrop adjacent to Kaibab (Machipongo, Mt. Airy, and Edgehill). IPS observations were not acquired for these three MiniTES targets since illumination was poor. IPS observations were made of some nearfield areas with unique textures: Kiptopeke and Wakefield are cobbly in appearance and located on a possible streambank, but nearby Woodbridge has a very smooth texture and is located in a potential channel.

A retransmit request for some missing MiniTES data from Sol 9 was sent as well.

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