Curiosity rover shows off its tattoo

1 November 2014 Astronomy Now

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NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured this image of the ‘tattoo’ on its arm, with the rocks at the base of Mount Sharp as a backdrop, on 29 October 2014, its 792nd Martian day on the surface.

The rover has been literally heading for the hills since landing at Gale Crater in August 2012. Scientists hope that Mount Sharp will offer them a slice through Martian geological history. Now Curiosity has arrived at the base of the mountain, it is making regular stops to study the area with a battery of cameras and scientific instruments.

Curiosity's recent travels as of 29 October 2014. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona.
Curiosity’s recent travels as of 29 October 2014. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona.

 

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