Figure 4. Portion of the HiRISE color mosaic centered on the
Bagnold dunes region investigated by Curiosity . The linear dunes
are evident extending from NE to SW. The white line delineates the path
taken by Curiosity , including the stop at Mount Desert Island for
detailed sand-based measurements.
Both dune segments exhibit the relatively reddish-brown color seen in
CRISM for the linear dunes that dominate the Bagnold dunes (Figures
1-3). The surfaces of both the MDI and Nathan Bridges dunes have
wind-blown cm-high ripples (Silvestro et al., 2013; Lapotre et al.,
2018; Figure 5). The key stop for dune measurements began on sol 1647
when Curiosity was commanded to analyze and acquire a sand sample
at the edge of the MDI dune for analysis by CheMin (Blake et al., 2012;
Lapotre & Rampe, 2018).