APOD: 2025 March 23 Б Ancient Ogunquit Beach on Mars
Explanation:
This was once a beach -- on ancient
Mars.
The featured 360-degree panorama,
horizontally compressed, was taken in 2017 by the robotic
Curiosity rover
that explored the
red planet.
Named Ogunquit Beach after its
terrestrial counterpart,
evidence shows that at times long ago the area was underwater,
while at other times it was at the edge of an
ancient
lake.
The light peak in the central background is the top of
Mount Sharp, the central feature in
Gale Crater where Curiosity explored.
Portions of the
dark sands in the foreground were
scooped up for analysis.
The light colored
bedrock is composed of
sediment
that likely settled at the bottom of the now-dried lakebed.
The featured panorama
(interactive version here)
was created from over 100 images and seemingly signed by the rover on the lower left.
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.
