New Images Show Mars Rover Curiosity's New Home in Gale Crater, and Its Mountain Destination

Monday, August 6, 2012 - 19:00 in Astronomy & Space

Behold Mt. Sharp Curiosity landed facing its ultimate target, Mt. Sharp, which is taller than any mountain in the lower 48 United States. Here it is, in front of the rover's own shadow, in this new image from Curiosity's front-facing hazard cameras. NASA/JPL PASADENA, Calif. -- This is the latest view from NASA's Mars rover Curioisty, which landed pointing toward its target, Mt. Sharp, a huge peak at the heart of Gale Crater. What a view! NASA downloaded lots more data from the rover overnight and is preparing for it to awaken on Mars. As of 4:30 p.m. Pacific time Monday, it was about 9 in the morning at the rover's new home on Mars. The Mars Descent Imager on Curiosity's undercarriage also took a video of the rover's nailbiting descent and landing. Stay tuned for further images.

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