Curiosity NavigationCuriosity HomeMission OverviewWhere is Curiosity?Mission UpdatesScienceOverviewInstrumentsHighlightsExploration GoalsNews and FeaturesMultimediaCuriosity Raw ImagesImagesVideosAudioMosaicsMore ResourcesMars MissionsMars Perseverance RoverMars Curiosity RoverMars Reconnaissance OrbiterMars OdysseyMore Mars MissionsMars Home2 min readCuriosity Blog, Sols 5063-5069 Rocks and ChipsNASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image of chip-shaped crystal forms using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on November 7, 2026, Sol 5067 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, at 14:07:35 UTC.NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSWritten by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science InstituteEarth planning date: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026This week Curiosity has been completing its drill campaign at the “Nazca” drill hole. This is an area characterized by bedrock containing disk-shaped (or in a liberal interpretation, potato chip shaped … see linked image) crystal forms. A key objective has been to better characterize these chip-shaped features. Drill samples were delivered to the Sample Analysis for Mars (SAM) instrument. While the SAM analysis was on-going, Monday’s plan included a ChemCam LIBS observation of another crystal-form, “Ahi Veremos,” more Mastcam frames to fill out a mosaic of the Nazca near to mid-field, and environmental observations including a large dust devil survey, and horizon and atmospheric zenith movies.Wednesday’s plan included two targeted science blocks with a LIBS depth profile of the “Colca” crystal-form and LIBS of the “Bermejo” target. A long distance Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) mosaic of rock clusters below the “Cordillera” ridge was also collected. Mastcam collected more frames of its Nazca mosaic, and more environmental observations were made.Friday’s planning was for three sols with three targeted science blocks and a drive away from the Nazca drill site. A MAHLI mosaic of the side of the block that hosts the Nazca drill hole was planned. It was also planned to use MAHLI’s nighttime white-light and ultraviolet LED lamps for nighttime imaging of the crystal-forms. Mars’ moon, Phobos, was eclipsing the Sun and imaging of that event was prioritized. ChemCam LIBS observations were planned for each sol including a cluster of crystal forms, a resistant layer in the side of the Nazca block and a dark float rock. A long distance RMI mosaic of dark lenses beneath a planar surface on the “Mishe Mokwa” ridge was to be made. Another round of environmental observation was also planned. Finally, Friday’s drive was to take the rover back towards its southerly trending route where Curiosity would continue its trek of exploration and discovery.Want to read more posts from the Curiosity team?Visit Mission UpdatesWant to learn more about Curiosity’s science instruments?Visit the Science Instruments pageNASA’s Curiosity rover at the base of Mount SharpNASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSShareDetailsLast UpdatedNov 11, 2026Related TermsBlogsExplore More3 min readCuriosity Blog, Sols 5056-5062: Charging Back Up!Article2 days ago3 min readCuriosity Blog, Sols 5050-5055: It’s Nazca, Our 49th Drill HoleArticle2 days ago2 min readRubies on Mars?Article2 days agoKeep ExploringDiscover More Topics From NASAMarsMars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It’s the only planet we know of inhabited…All Mars ResourcesExplore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,…Rover BasicsEach robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a…Mars Exploration: Science GoalsThe key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA’s four…