Space & Astronomy

Curiosity has finally reached Mount Sharp

By T.K. Randall
September 13, 2014

Image: Curiosity Rover
Credit: (PD) NASA/JPL-Caltech via Wikimedia Commons It has taken longer than expected and the road has been far from direct, but after a drive of over 5 miles the car-sized explorer has succeeded in making its way to the place where scientists had originally intended for it to go when its mission began.

The team had taken something of a risk when Curiosity first landed on Mars by sending it in the opposite direction to investigate an area that appeared to have once been underwater.Fortunately however the gamble paid off and the rover discovered not only signs of what was once a freshwater lake but also indications that it had contained the chemical ingredients needed for life.

It would take many more months for Curiosity to make its way from there to Mount Sharp, but now that it has arrived the science team can begin investigating the rocks there to see what it can find.

"Curiosity now will begin a new chapter from an already outstanding introduction to the world," said NASA planetary scientist Jim Green. "After a historic and innovative landing along with its successful science discoveries, the scientific sequel is upon us."


Source: Discovery News

Tags: Curiosity, Mars