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PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE - To MARS with MER
Daily Updates - March 25, 2004
Spirit Status at end of sol 80
On sol 80, which ended at 10:23 a.m. PST on March 25, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit repeated overnight measurements of "Illinois" and "New York," two targets on the rock "Mazatzal." The measurements needed to be repeated because the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer's doors inadvertently did not open during the prior sol. In honor of doors being stuck partially open, sol 80's wake up song was "Open the Door" by Otis Redding.
Mazatzal is one of an apparent class of "light-toned rocks," which may be common in the area where Spirit landed in Gusev. This rock appears to be a "ventifact," which means it may have been carved by the steady winds that scientists know come from the northwest into the top area of this crater rim.
The plan for sol 81, which will end at 11:02 a.m. on March 26 PST, is to grind into Mazatzal with the rock abrasion tool.
