
Curiosity continues its exploration of Gale crater, taking progressively longer drives away from its landing site, and returning stunning images back to Earth as it does so. The rover is making its way toward its first major science stop, Glenelg, which is about 400 metres away and closer to the foothills of Mount Sharp and is a spot where three different types of geological terrain meet together.
In the meantime, Curiosity took the first “self-portrait” photo of its “head” (the Mastcam), using the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the robotic arm. For testing purposes, this one was taken with the dust cover still on the camera lens, but later images without it should be incredible. Other images have also been taken of the rover itself, showing the extended robotic arm and other instruments in exquisite detail.
From orbit, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has also just taken new high-resolution photos of the rover on the ground including the tracks it is leaving behind!
The images included here kind of speak for themselves…

Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Malin Space Science Systems / Damien Bouic

Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Malin Space Science Systems / Damien Bouic

Click for larger version. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Malin Space Science Systems


Click for larger version. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona