NASA Science Briefing: Comet Siding Spring at Mars

Surrounding about a quarter of Mars’ northern polar cap is a vast field of crescent-shaped barchan sand dunes covering an area larger than the U.S. state of California. Seen in summer when the dunes were free of frost, Odyssey captured a stunning tapestry of unearthly wind-blown beauty.

NASA’s Mars Insight lander deployed its solar wings in a critical milestone on the road to launch from California in May. InSight will reach the red planet in late November, landing near the equator to study the interior of Mars.

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover detects methane; while a possible indicator of biological activity, the source is not yet known.