NASA · Space

Curiosity Rover Reaches Elevation Milestone on Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover has achieved a significant elevation milestone, reaching 1 kilometer above the floor of Gale Crater. The rover captured a panoramic view looking back at the crater floor and its distant rim.

The rover reached this elevation on Sol 4,996 (August 26) and subsequently captured the image on Sol 5,006 (September 5). Since 2014, Curiosity has been ascending the foothills of Mount Sharp, a 5-kilometer-tall mountain within Gale Crater.

The image, composed of 95 individual Mastcam images, shows a sand ridge in the foreground. Scientists will analyze the geologic layering and sand grain composition of this ridge to understand its formation.

The color in the panorama has been adjusted to simulate Earth-like lighting conditions. Curiosity was built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by Caltech, and the mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.