Gale Crater

Today's VIS image is located in Gale Crater. Home to the Curiosity Rover since August of 2012, Gale crater is 154km in diameter (96 miles). Multiple features within the crater are visible in this image, including dunes, wind and water etched rock, layered central mound (Aeolis Mons - common name Mount Sharp), and small channels. Aeolis Mons rises 18,000 ft (5,500 m) from the crater floor, higher than Mount Rainier rises above Seattle.