NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover Finds A Changing Landscape

NASA’s Curiosity rover explores Mount Sharp, a 5-mile-tall (8-kilometer-tall) mountain within the basin of Gale Crater on Mars.

Curiosity landed nine years ago on August 5, 2012, with a mission to study whether different Martian environments could have supported microbial life in the ancient past, when long-lived lakes and groundwater existed within Gale Crater.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

[raydunakin]

This looks so much like some of the desert areas of southern California and Nevada, places I've spent years exploring and camping, that it actually feels very familiar to me. The main difference is the total lack of vegetation. Even the harshest deserts here have at least some tiny plants.

[velocinaci]

it looks so alien yet familiar, it is beautiful

[TragoudistrosMPH]

The resolution on those images for that level of zoom must be astounding!!!
So alien and familiar!

[JvB-vwxy]

When I see these fascinating pictures it reminds me of how stunningly beautiful and diverse "our" planet is. We really should start taking care of it.

[BlackFlagHeathen]

Insane how we’re literally looking at another planet in these pics, and yet… it looks weirdly familiar, almost like a desert back here on earth. I am obsessed with this mission, I can’t wait to see what else Curiosity and Ingenuity discover.

[GotYourWallet]

Its hard to get a sense of scale. The comparison to a four storey building was helpful.

[modalmixture]

I remember when Curiority first landed, looking at those images of Mt Sharp and thinking how amazing it would be to drive up that mountain, peeking at all the changing layers along the way. And JPL demurred, saying We’ve got lots of interesting science to do in the meantime. A decade later, the rover is still going strong and we’re actually bloody doing it.

[ChiefYT-_l]

It’s crazy to think the Curiosity rover is still on the go 🤯

[wrohr]

Its so nice that they post these. I love knowing what they are seeing there on Mars.

[KimberlyGreen]

Got me in the feels. "On the left is Rafael Navarro Mountain, named after one of the mission scientists who passed away in January of 2021."
Imagine it. Hundreds of years from now, a student on Mars will look up why that place is named that. They'll learn about the life of someone who contributed to us learning about another planet! The present and future connected by the thin but powerful line of human quest for understanding.

[colinpamplin]

Thank you for what you do, may your budget be limitless

[richardm]

Driving 16 miles is amazing without getting stuck

[longlakeshore]

Wow. The high def is amazing. I was in junior high school when the Viking Landers gave us the first color pictures from the surface of Mars in 1976. I remember being amazed then but this HD beats those hands down.

[twisterwiper]

This format is amazing. It’s almost like taking the tourist bus trip. “To your left you will see…” 😄
I almost feel we are becoming an interplanetary species.

[wzupppp]

Its mindblowing to be looking at the surface of another planet. Even more mindblowing to know this is one of infinite planets in the universe

[Naecofranck]

Super to have such explanation about the picture !

[rv-m]

Appreciate the narrative. Gives context to counterbalance the 'Gee more rocks' feeling I sometimes get.

[mkevilempire]

Nice video, wish you the best for the upcoming drives.
I'd like to see more annotations like the clip of the drilling. Maybe a map with the driven and planned paths, location in relation to the other currently active rovers etc.
I know you guys know all this stuff at any given time, but for many watching it on youtube it's handy information we don't have at hand.

[prsmurthy]

As an individual deeply inspired by NASA's rover's photographs and videos, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and pride in mankind's incredible achievements. Watching these remarkable displays of exploration fills me with a mix of emotions. As a physics faculty and author, I find myself slightly envious that such feats were not accomplished by my beloved India.

One of the key challenges we face is the ongoing brain drain, where talented individuals leave our country for better opportunities elsewhere, ultimately hindering our progress and development. It's a stark reminder for us to address this issue and create an environment that nurtures and retains our brightest minds.

I firmly believe that for India to succeed and take the lead in the technological race, we must break free from the shackles of religion, caste, language, and regional politics. Our nation is overflowing with untapped potential and talent, and it's high time for us to awaken and harness this power for our collective advancement.

I salute the USA for its unparalleled achievements and monumental strides in space exploration. Let this serve as a reminder for us to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of what is possible. Long live the spirit of innovation and progress, both in the USA and around the world.

[lawrenceyy]

This is amazing. imagine it takes 6 months to finally arrive on Mars. I wouldn't say it is lifeless, but it's certainly crazy to think how big the space is and so little we know.