Abstract

Planetary geology: The Mars Science Laboratory Rover Curiosity landed in Gale Crater on Mars on 6th of August 2012. The Gale Crater site was selected because orbiter data had revealed interesting mineralogy in the central mount – Mt. Sharp – within the crater. Clay and sulfate was found and mapped from orbit. Since setting wheels on Martian soil, the rover has explored an ancient lake bed within the crater, found exciting mineralogy, measured the atmosphere and the noble gases and methane within; it now is on its way to the exciting outcrops of clay and sulfate minerals in the foothills of Mt. Sharp. The talk will provide an overview over the rover, its instruments, and the exciting findings at Gale Crater.