BD: this supercedes prior EVA #10 report
Crew 238 EVA Report 10Jan2022
EVA #10
Author: HSO Robert T. Turner
Purpose of EVA: To collect geologic, bacterial, and radiation samples.
Start time:12.20
End time: 14.40
Narrative: The MDRS Crew 238 Sol 8 extra-vehicular activity (EVA) went to the region designated Moon Overlook using the Brahe Highway 1575. The surface EVA participants were: Artist Agnieszka Pokrywka, Engineer Simon Werner, and Health / Safety Officer Robert T. Turner.
These utilitized rovers Curiosity and Opportunity to transition tothis geological site. EVA objectives were: geological sampling, survey, and possible radiation measurements; and, a second object was
obtaining stream bed samples for possible bacteriological culturing.
This EVA team was designated EVA Team One. Travel to the previously mapped site was completed without incident. Once the two rovers were stationary, exploration was initiated on foot.
This region possessed an appearance quite like luna with gray,finely-powdered soil, starkly contrasting with an absence of surface stones as had been noted in other EVA sites. This site featured an enormous crater-like structural depression overlaid with a second impact marking. Small stony ejecta was noted in the vicinity of the upper crater rim that was being explored. Several possible evacuation dry stream beds were noted.
Steep gray angular walls descended to smaller chasma-like structures. Samples initially thought to be shock quartz were first noted on this exploration with samples obtained for further study. Extensive surface photography was completed with a more Mars-like demarcation noted on the panoramic views of the vista horizon, including a presumed possible volcanic butte.
Crew member Agnieszka Pokrywka obtained stream bed soil samples for biological investigation. This site had fewer examples of lichen-like lifeforms as noted in the photographic sampling.
Crew members Agnieszka Pokrywka and Simon Werner conducted a walking descent of the crater rim wall into the depth of the crater-like structure, noted changes in the presentation of presumed multiple drainage ravines. Additional surface rock samples were obtained at the descent site, along with supplemental photography. Following completion of an ascent out of this area, all crew members returned to the twin rovers and completed a successful return to the Hab. This ended the planned EVA for MDRS Crew 238, Sol 8, EVA Team One.
We took a yellowish looking sample from one of the few, thin and more compact layers at the bottom of a crater-like structure, below Widow’s Peak. We are not sure yet, if this is of biologic origin or not. A first analysis of this sample will be done using the microscope in the Science Dome.
The radiation level at Widows Peak using a Geiger counter/dosimeter, "Radex one", Qarta-Rad Inc. Measurement was taken 10cm above ground level over 10 min. The values were refreshed every 15 sec. and have shown a range from 0.26 to 0.29 µS/h. This is roughly twice the level along Cow dung road from HAB towards the North (Measurements taken every 500m along Cow Dung road, ranging from 0.11 µS/h at Marble Ritual …to 0.19µS/h when crossing Tank Wash river bed.
Question: We are uncertain if the Moon, especially around Widows peak, is still the Morrison Formation or already the lower layer of the Cedar Mountains Formation (lower yellow cat)?
Destination: Area D
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): W4254400 by N516000
Participants: Turner, Pokrywka, Werner
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MoonWalk Road up to Cow Dung Road, north to Braher Highway 1572, then west to Braher Highway to 1575
Mode of travel: Curiosity and Opportunity