Ringing in the New with Mars Science: The Vera Rubin Ridge Mission’s Exciting Conclusion and Curiosity’s 2019 Plans

As the winter solstice on Earth approaches and days grow longer, the Vera Rubin Ridge mission on Mars is nearing its conclusion, filled with remarkable scientific discoveries. On sol 2276, the team will analyze the drill sample “Rock Hall” using CheMin technology to uncover its composition. ChemCam will also measure bedrock targets “Auchenheath,” “Firth of Forth,” and “Port Charlotte,” capturing data across the electromagnetic spectrum from ultraviolet to near infrared. Mastcam will provide color images of these targets and create a black and white mosaic of the large white vein “Hopetoun.”

In addition, change detection images will be taken of targets “Fishertown” and “Luskentyre” to observe movement in the Martian soil. Navcam will capture a series of images of dust devils on the Aeolis Palus plains to study atmospheric dust density, while Mastcam will observe the crater rim to study dust and aerosol scattering properties in the air.

On New Year’s Eve, a special ChemCam observation will mark the end of the year, with another observation planned for the first hours of 2019. As we enter 2019, Curiosity will look towards the clay flats to the south, with a series of observations planned to study the Martian atmosphere and landscape.

As we welcome 2019, we eagerly anticipate more exciting scientific discoveries on Mars that are sure to come in this new year.