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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
JPL-Caltech,
MSSS;
Processing &
License:
Elisabetta Bonora & Marco Faccin
(aliveuniverse.today)
Explanation:
Which way up
Mount Sharp?
In early September, the
robotic rover Curiosity continued its ascent up the central peak of
Gale Crater,
searching for more clues about
ancient
water and
further evidence that Mars could once have been capable of
supporting
life.
On this recent
Martian morning, before exploratory drilling, the rolling rover took this
360-degree panorama,
in part to help Curiosity's human team back on Earth access the landscape and chart
possible future routes.
In the
horizontally-compressed featured image, an
amazing vista across Mars was captured, complete with
layered hills,
red rocky ground,
gray drifting sand, and a dusty atmosphere.
The hill just left of center has been dubbed
Maria
Gordon Notch in honor of a
famous Scottish geologist.
The current plan is to direct Curiosity to approach,
study,
and pass just to the right of Gordon Notch on its exploratory trek.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars
Publications with words: Mars
See also:
- Full Moon, Full Mars
- APOD: 2025 January 15 Á Wolf Moon Engulfs Mars
- APOD: 2024 December 3 Á Ice Clouds over a Red Planet
- APOD: 2024 November 10 Á Valles Marineris: The Grand Canyon of Mars
- APOD: 2024 September 9 Á Mars: Moon, Craters, and Volcanos
- APOD: 2024 June 5 Á Shadow of a Martian Robot
- Ares 3 Landing Site: The Martian Revisited