Curiosity Rover Takes Selfie on Mars
Explanation:
Yes, but have you ever taken a selfie on
Mars?
The Curiosity rover on Mars has.
This selfie
was compiled from many smaller images -- which is why the mechanical arm holding
the camera is not visible.
(Although its
shadow is!)
Taken in mid-2015, the
featured image shows
not only the adventurous rover, but dark
layered rocks, the light colored peak of
Mount Sharp,
and the
rusting red sand that
pervades Mars.
If you look
closely,
you can even see that a small rock is stuck into one of
Curiosity's aging wheels.
Now nearing the end of 2017,
Curiosity
continues
to explore the layers of
sedimentary rocks it has discovered on
Vera
Rubin Ridge in order to
better understand, generally,
the ancient geologic history of
Mars and,
specifically, why these types of rocks exist there.
Now Available:
The 2018 APOD Calendar
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
