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\nNASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this panorama while driving toward the center of this scene, an area that forms the narrow \u201cParaitepuy Pass\u201d on Aug. 14, the 3,563rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
\nCredits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/p>\n
After journeying this summer through a narrow, sand-lined pass, NASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover recently arrived in the \u201csulfate-bearing unit,\u201d a long-sought region of Mount Sharp enriched with salty minerals.<\/p>\n
Scientists hypothesize that billions of years ago, streams, and ponds left behind the minerals as the water dried up. Assuming the hypothesis is correct, these minerals offer tantalizing clues as to how \u2013 and why \u2013 the Red Planet\u2019s climate changed from being more Earth-like to the frozen desert it is today.<\/p>\n
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\nNASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this panorama of a hill nicknamed \u201cBol\u00edvar\u201d and adjacent sand ridges on Aug. 23, the 3,572nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
\nCredits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/p>\n
The mission\u2019s scientists look forward to analyzing portions of the sample with the Chemical and Minerology instrument (CheMin) and the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument (SAM).<\/p>\n
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\nThis grid shows all 36 holes drilled by NASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover using the drill on the end of its robotic arm. The rover analyzes powderized rock from the drilling activities. The images in the grid were captured by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the end of Curiosity\u2019s arm.
\nCredits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/p>\n
While sharp rocks can damage Curiosity\u2019s wheels (which have plenty of life left in them), sand can be just as hazardous, potentially causing the rover to get stuck if the wheels lose traction. Rover drivers need to carefully navigate these areas.<\/p>\n
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\nCuriosity used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this image of its 36th successful drill hole on Mount Sharp, at a rock called \u201cCanaima.\u201d The rovers Mars Hand Lens Imager took the inset image. The pulverized rock sample was acquired on Oct. 3, 2022, the mission\u2019s 3,612th Martian day, or sol.
\nCredits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/p>\n
Andrew Good
\nJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.<\/p>\n
Karen Fox \/ Alana Johnson
\nNASA Headquarters, Washington<\/p>\n
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