The Gator Back Rocks of Mars
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.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
