Overcoming Focusing Challenges: Perseverance in Space Exploration with ChemCam’s 5-Point Raster Technique
For Sol 864, we are planning a short drive towards our drilling target called “Mojave”. Before the drive, the ChemCam instrument will be used to analyze five locations in a line across a possible mineral vein in the rock at a target called “Harrisburg”. This type of observation, referred to as a “raster”, was common before ChemCam experienced focusing problems. However, this will be the first time conducting a 5-point raster since the focusing laser stopped working. Despite the focusing issue, ChemCam is still collecting images and spectra at multiple focus positions per point to ensure quality data is obtained.
