Curiosity Rover’s Weekly Report: Striped Layers Reveal Fourth of July Geology

Author: Deborah Padgett, MSL Operations Product Ground System Task Lead, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Mission planning date: Thursday, July 2, 2026

During the week leading up to the Fourth of July, Curiosity moved toward a transition zone between a smooth, sandy area and a more rugged bedrock unit.

After departing the polygonal terrain, the rover reached its first stop on Sol 4939. On Sol 4940 it searched for dust devils using Navcam and executed an AEGIS‑controlled ChemCam laser spectroscopy observation together with Mastcam imaging of an onboard‑selected target. No suitable rocks were found for brushing with the DRT at this stop.

On Sol 4941, MAHLI captured images of the light‑colored fragments “Malpartida” and “Pico del Tunari.” APXS performed X‑ray spectroscopy on them to assess composition. ChemCam applied active laser spectroscopy to the light‑colored bedrock fragment “Kunturiri,” while the dark “float” rock “Mecoyita,” apparently displaced from elsewhere, was observed passively. ChemCam also used its telescopic RMI camera to examine sedimentary layers at the base of the Cordillera butte. Mastcam acquired several mosaics of the sand‑and‑rock ridge named “Sitajana.”

On Sol 4942, Mastcam continued its investigation of “Sitajana,” and ChemCam RMI obtained additional views of the Cordillera butte. Navcam recorded a suprahorizon cloud movie and a dust‑devil sequence. ChemCam subsequently performed laser spectroscopy on the dark bedrock fragment “Toconce,” with Mastcam providing documentation. Mastcam also imaged “Sierra Vicuña Mackenna” to study a partially exposed rock shedding sand amid small dune ripples.

In the afternoon of Sol 4942, Curiosity advanced approximately 36 feet (about 11 m) to the edge of the geological contact and captured post‑drive panoramic mosaics with Navcam and Mastcam. The images revealed a field of exposed bedrock outcrops featuring striking striped patterns. A Navcam AEGIS observation was taken to autonomously select a ChemCam target for laser spectroscopy, which was documented by Mastcam on Sol 4943. Additionally, Navcam produced a dust‑devil movie, and Mastcam recorded an atmospheric dust measurement.

On Sol 4944, two adjacent light‑colored bedrock targets, “Laguna Fea” and “Laguna Lejia,” were chosen for DRT brushing, MAHLI imaging, and APXS X‑ray analysis. ChemCam will fire on the darker ledge “Hornillos,” with Mastcam providing accompanying images. Although “Hornillos” proved too rough for brushing, Mastcam will compile a large mosaic of the striped outcrop “Cerro Castillo” and a smaller mosaic of a nearby trough. The ChemCam telescopic RMI camera will focus on a dark layer on the Cordillera butte that appears to be shedding dark boulders, while Navcam will record another dust‑devil movie and a suprahorizon cloud sequence.

On Sol 4945, ChemCam will conduct laser spectroscopy on “Laguna Lejia,” supplemented by Mastcam imaging, and will use its telescopic RMI camera to examine another region at the base of the Cordillera butte where large stones suggest possible ice‑related processes. Navcam will execute a dust‑devil survey and Mastcam will perform a dust‑imaging study. In the afternoon, further Navcam dust‑devil observations, a zenith view, a suprahorizon cloud movie, a Mastcam dust observation, and a 20×4 mosaic of butte Mishe Mokwa will be acquired. Overnight, an extended APXS atmospheric measurement will be carried out.

Also on Sol 4945, ChemCam will laser‑spectrosc­opy the target “La Puntilla,” accompanied by Mastcam imaging, followed by a passive‑sky observation. Curiosity will then drive roughly 56 feet (about 17 m) toward a distant large, dark boulder that may be a meteorite, performing post‑drive imaging and Navcam sky‑flat calibrations.

The following morning will include an atmospheric suite of observations: a Navcam zenith movie, a suprahorizon cloud movie, a line‑of‑sight dust observation, and a Mastcam dust “tau” measurement.

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