Here's what NASA's star robotic rover captured on Mars this year.
Curiosity is NASA's car-sized robotic rover that was launched in 2011 to explore Mars' geology and climate as closely as possible. Here are the top 5 observations that the rover captured on Mars this year:
1. Liquid water on Mars
Evidence of liquid water found on Mars Image source: NASA
Researchers have long known that there was water in the form of ice on Mars. But a new research in April based on data from Curiosity shows that it is possible that there is liquid water close to the surface of Mars.
A chemical called calcium perchlorate has been found in the soil, which lowers the freezing point so the water does not freeze into ice, but is liquid and present in very salty salt water – a brine.
2. First detailed click of the Martian sand dunes
Martian dunes explored for the first time by Curiosity rover Image source: NASA
Earlier this month, the rover revealed detailed and enlarged images of the sand dunes on Mars. So far, it has been sending us distant images of the place while on its excursion up a layered mountain.
The photos were clicked as a part of an up-close investigation of the “Bagnold Dunes”, which constitute the lower portion of Mountain Sharp inside the Gale crater. The image released by NASA is a composite of a collection of photos clicked by the rover's Mast Camera on November 27. The same instrument captured the sand dunes from a distance that NASA revealed in August this year.
3. Curiosity’s selfie on Mars
Curiosity Self-Portrait at 'Windjana' Drilling Site Image source: NASA
NASA’s robotic rover Curiosity carried with itself the selfie craze from earth to Mars and shared some stunning images of itself on the red planet.
Curiosity managed to capture the images just before trekking up a mountain on the planet. Dozens of images were shot on August 5, using the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), which helped create a stunning self-portrait of the robot.
4. Evidence for ancient, long-lived lakes
A view from the "Kimberley" formation on Mars indicates that a water basin existed on Mars Image source: NASA
Three years after landing in a giant Martian crater, NASA's Curiosity rover in October found a proof that the basin was repeatedly filled with water, bolstering chances for life on Mars.
The research offered the most comprehensive picture of how Gale Crater, an ancient, 87-mile (140-km) wide impact basin, formed and left a 3-mile (5-km) mound of sediment standing on the crater floor.
Early in its mission, Curiosity discovered the gravel remnants of streams and deposits from a shallow lake.
5. Bids farewell to Marias Pass, heading towards southwest region
Buckskin drilling site found to be high in silica and hydrogen Image source: NASA
In the "Marias Pass" region, Curiosity successfully used its drill to sample a rock target called "Buckskin" and then used the camera on its robotic arm for multiple images to be stitched into a self-portrait at the drilling site. Curiosity initially noted the area with high silica and hydrogen on May 21 while climbing to a site where two types of sedimentary bedrock lie in contact with each other.
Such contact zones can hold clues about ancient changes in environment, from conditions that produced the older rock type to conditions that produced the younger one.
The rover finished activities in Marias Pass on August 12 and is now headed onward up Mount Sharp, the layered mountain it reached in September 2014.
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