Because the saying goes, every thing that has a starting has an finish. Many college students in my lab have had the chance to work on the Curiosity mission over the past ten years and it has been one of many nice joys of my profession to see these college students develop into succesful and assured colleagues trusted by their friends the world over who work with them on the mission. However, inevitably, college students full their levels or transfer on to different initiatives and alternatives. For Charissa Campbell, a PhD pupil who has been engaged on the mission since 2016 she has a possibility to steer the science case for an instrument referred to as MAPLE that might contribute to Environmental Science in a future planetary mission.
(Animation Above: the solar units at Gale Crater on Sol 312 of the mission)
By Charissa Campbell
Over the previous 5 years, I’ve been part of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL, Curiosity) group, particularly the Environmental working group (ENV). The ENV group is chargeable for managing any environmental observations which incorporates any cloud or mud satan imaging. Throughout my time with the group I acquired the chance to assist plan a number of sols (Martian day) of operations. This consists of advocating for various ENV observations which might be used to characterize the setting round Curiosity’s location, Gale Crater.
Our analysis group helps preserve totally different ENV observations that use the Navigation Cameras (Navcams) to look at atmospheric aerosols. This consists of the Zenith Film (ZM, an eight body film observing motion instantly above the rover), Supra-horizon Film (SHM, an eight body film wanting above the horizon), Line of Sight (LOS, a single picture capturing the crater rim), Section Operate Sky Survey (PFSS, 9 three body motion pictures observing aerosols at a wide range of pointings) and Cloud Altitude Commentary (CAO, 2 eight body motion pictures meaning to seize cloud and shadow movement). The primary three (ZM, SHM, LOS) have been part of the mission for a number of Mars Years (MYs) and are nice for monitoring cloud and dirt over the course of a MY. The PFSS and CAO are on the newer aspect and are solely carried out within the cloudy season. The newest cloudy season simply completed and now we’re getting ready for the mud season which brings elevated mud and dust-devils within the crater.
Once I first began on the mission, I helped preserve the cadence of the ZM and SHM. This consists of advocating their cadence (each 2-3 sols) and preserving an eye fixed out for any aerosol exercise. The cloudy season on Mars may be very constant 12 months to 12 months so it’s comparatively straightforward to foretell once we’d count on to see extra exercise. Coming as much as my first cloudy season, I discovered a pair of early morning motion pictures that captured wispy clouds like Mares’ Tails seen right here on Earth (proven beneath). The individuality and wonder of those clouds earned a press launch (https://mars.nasa.gov/sources/8866/clouds-sailing-overhead-on-mars-enhanced/?website=msl). Since I used to be nonetheless recent on the mission, I used to be excited and anxious for the chance. It acquired loads of press and I loved studying the assorted feedback left by the general public.
Over the subsequent few years I continued to advocate for ENV observations however I used to be additionally given the chance to assist develop a brand new commentary. On sol 1787 a Mud-Satan Film (DDM) was geared toward Mt. Sharp (Aeolis Mons) and as a substitute of capturing dust-devils, it noticed shadows transferring throughout the mountain. This was brought on by clouds transferring overhead which was confirmed by the ZM that adopted. A DDM pointed at Mt. Sharp posed a novel alternative to measure the direct velocity and altitude of the overhead clouds by figuring out how briskly the shadows transfer with respect to the mountain. Digital Terrain Fashions (DTMs) have been created for Mars which give an x, y, z coordinate for each level in Gale Crater. By noting the place on the mountain the shadow begins and ends between the primary and final frames, a velocity could be calculated. When a paired ZM is used to calculate the angular spacing and velocity of the clouds above, we are able to get the rate and altitude of the clouds. Usually, this parameter is discovered utilizing a lidar which was demonstrated by the Phoenix lander (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/photos/press/Lidar_Fall_Streaks_SD_001.html). Nonetheless, Curiosity isn’t outfitted with a lidar so we should use different approaches to calculate altitude.
Taking what we realized concerning the DDM and ZM mixture, we went forward and created the CAO. Inside this mother or father commentary is the Cloud Shadow Film (CSM) and ZM. The CSM could be the DDM however optimized to convey out shadows. This consists of rising the body dimension for extra mountain protection. This body dimension was additionally utilized to the ZM. As soon as the CAO was optimized , it was examined on Curiosity earlier than changing into an official commentary that the ENV group can plan. As of right now, we’ve formally accomplished 3 MY value of CAO information.
Analyzing the latest set confirmed a novel pair of shadow and clouds that weren’t seen earlier than in a CAO. Proven beneath, each motion pictures present turbulent clouds with giant shadows that move over the rover earlier than going up the mountain. I made a decision to showcase this set at the latest Curiosity group assembly the place I confirmed my cloud altitude outcomes. The films appeared to be successful that they grew to become a press launch (https://mars.nasa.gov/sources/26557/curiosity-captures-drifting-clouds-on-dec-12-2021/?website=msl). It made me extraordinarily glad to have one other set of flicks launched by JPL. I will probably be leaving the Curiosity group within the subsequent few months to concentrate on my different PhD initiatives, so it’s bittersweet to begin and finish my time on the mission with a press launch.
It’s been a fantastic honour to work with Curiosity information and particularly assist develop an commentary that may proceed to be captured in future cloud seasons. I need to thank the Curiosity group and all the present and previous PVL members which have helped me. Good luck Curiosity! I hope you have got many extra cloudy seasons on the horizon.
