Crossing Dingo Gap on Mars
Explanation:
An important threshold on Mars has now been crossed.
Landing in mid-2012, the Curiosity rover is searching for clues of whether
life could
ever have existed on the
red planet.
Recent findings of Curiosity include evidence for an ancient (but now dried)
freshwater lake, and the
non-detection of the
biomarker
methane
in the Martian atmosphere.
To continue its investigation, the car-sized rover is on an
expedition to roll up
Mt. Sharp, the central peak of the large crater in which
it
landed.
Life might have shown preference for
water
that once ran down the Martian mountain.
Two weeks ago, to avoid more dangerous and
rocky terrain,
Curiosity was directed to roll across a one-meter high sand dune
that blocked a
useful entrance to Mt. Sharp.
Just after the short trip over
Dingo Gap was successful, the robotic rover took the
above
image showing the now-traversed
sand mound
covered with its
wheel tracks.
Organize Your Universe:
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NASA Official: Jay Norris.
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