Curiosity Captures 6-Image Panorama of 10-Mile Martian Yardangs on Mount Sharp
Updated
Updated · NASA · Oct 6
Curiosity Captures 6-Image Panorama of 10-Mile Martian Yardangs on Mount Sharp
3 articles · Updated · NASA · Oct 6
Summary
NASA released a six-image Curiosity panorama showing the clearest view yet of wind-carved yardangs stretching about 10 miles across Mount Sharp.
The Aug. 11 image was taken at 8:30 a.m. Mars time on sol 4,982 and processed without white balancing, preserving the blue-toned foreground created by early morning light.
Curiosity has been climbing the 3-mile-tall mountain since 2014 and recently reached 0.6 miles of elevation—the highest ascent ever achieved on Mars.
Scientists want close-up data because the oddly colored, tilted yardang layer may record how Mars dried out; one hypothesis is ash from ancient volcanic eruptions.
The rover is now in its fifth extended mission and is expected to reach the base of the yardangs in 2027 after crossing sulfate- and carbonate-rich layers.