This is it . Curiosity has reached its prime destination . After abrilliant conception , anamazing landing , and two years of continuous travel , the wanderer is now at the foundation of Aeolis Mons — aka Mount Sharp — a mountain that rises 18,000 foot ( 5.5 klick ) at the center of Gale Crater . This is where the real fun set about .
Mount Sharp was choose by NASA because it ’s alone geologic features will give us an extended feeling into the history of the Red Planet . It ’s also a place that may show traces of out biological life .
peculiarity ’s trek up the heap will begin with an examination of the slew ’s low slopes . The scouter is start this process at an entree point near an outcrop called Pahrump Hills , rather than uphold on to the previously - planned , further entree point have a go at it as Murray Buttes . Both entrance points lay along a boundary where the southern alkali stratum of the mountain meet crater - floor deposits washed down from the crater ’s northern brim .
NASA changed Curiosity ’s plotted course after understand the area best , accord to Curiosity Project Scientist John Grotzinger at CalTech in Pasadena , California :
It has been a long but historic journey to this Martian tidy sum . The nature of the terrain at Pahrump Hills and just beyond it is a serious place than Murray Buttes to watch about the signification of this tangency . The exposures at the contact are better due to keen topographical relief .
This is it : Amargosa Valley , “ the slopes leading up to Mount Sharp on Mars . The rover is channelize toward the Pahrump Hills outcrop , seen above the shell bar . This area represents a boundary between the plains of Gale Crater , named Aeolis Palus , and the layered side of Mount Sharp , or Aeolis Mons . Curiosity has of late cross into this terrain and now is on the Mount Sharp side of the transition geographical zone . ”
Every time I interpret about this mission , I sit for a while thinking about Curiosity alone in Mars . I close up my eyes and picture it move slowly , its cameras looking around while the Martian breeze caress its chassis . I can think the ho-hum mechanically skillful noises , the wind , and cracking strait of the moxie and tilt under its wheels . I really wish well I were there .
Godspeed , buddy . Your journeying is not over yet .
Mars
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