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Explanation: Wind-sharpened rocks known as ventifacts, cover this broad sloping plain in the foot hills of Mount Sharp, Gale crater, Mars. Dubbed gator-back rocks their rugged, scaly appearance is captured in these digitally stitched Mastcam frames from the Curiosity rover on mission sol 3,415 (March 15, 2022). Driving over gator-back rocks before has resulted in damage to the rover's wheels, so Curiosity team members decided to turn around and take another path to continue the rover's climb. Curiosity has been on an ascent of Gale crater's central 5.5 kilometer high mountain since 2014. As it climbs, it's been able to study layers shaped by water on Mars billions of years ago.
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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 - Martian Rover
Publications with words: Mars - Martian Rover
See also:
- APOD: 2025 July 15 Á Collapse in Hebes Chasma on Mars
- APOD: 2025 July 6 Á The Spiral North Pole of Mars
- APOD: 2025 June 29 Á Dark Sand Cascades on Mars
- APOD: 2025 June 22 Á A Berry Bowl of Martian Spherules
- APOD: 2025 June 15 Á Two Worlds One Sun
- Perseverance Selfie with Ingenuity
- Deimos Before Sunrise