{"id":467775,"date":"2026-07-02T00:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/curiosity-blog-sols-4934-4940-in-the-land-of-the-polygons\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T00:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:41:46","slug":"curiosity-blog-sols-4934-4940-in-the-land-of-the-polygons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=467775","title":{"rendered":"Curiosity Blog, Sols 4934-4940: In the Land of the Polygons"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full 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Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Home<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">2 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">Curiosity Blog, Sols 4934-4940: In the Land of the Polygons<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=1328&#038;h=1184&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1328\" height=\"1184\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=1328&#038;h=1184&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A grayscale close-up image of the Martian surface taken by the Curiosity rover, showing a network of raised, rocky ridges that form interconnected polygonal shapes resembling dried mud cracks or a honeycomb pattern, with smooth, darker sand or dust filling the shallow spaces in between.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=1328&#038;h=1184&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1328w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=300&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=768&#038;h=685&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=913&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=400&#038;h=357&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=600&#038;h=535&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=900&#038;h=802&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04932_mcam_4932MR1095440052503252C00_DXXX.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1070&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1328px) 100vw, 1328px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image of polygonal structures using its Mast Camera (Mastcam) on June 21, 2026 \u2014 Sol 4932, or Martian day 4,932 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission \u2014 at 14:57:55 UTC.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute<\/p>\n<p>Earth planning date: Friday, June 26, 2026<\/p>\n<p>There were two planning cycles over this span of sols. The Monday planning took place with Curiosity situated within a unit that from orbital imagery appeared light-toned, and from earlier rover positions appeared smooth. Reaching this unit, the rover team was surprised to see the unit covered with polygonal structures like the top of a giant Martian honeycomb. Driving further into the unit, the polygonal ridges were more eroded. Littered about this unit are pebble to cobble-sized dark-toned rocks. A still-to-be-resolved question is whether these are bits of Mars that \u201cfloated\u201d down from higher in the stratigraphy, were ejected from distant impacts outside of Gale crater, or are meteorites from beyond Mars altogether. Examination of some previous dark \u201cfloat\u201d rocks indicated the presence of nickel, common in meteorites but less so in Martian rocks, but are all of the dark-toned pebbles and cobbles meteorites? Further investigations should help in answering this question.<\/p>\n<p>Monday\u2019s four-sol plan had APXS and MAHLI investigations looking at the ridges and centers of the polygons. The plan also included ChemCam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) views of the \u201cMiraflores\u201d small knob and of the \u201cCordillera\u201d mesa. Similar to the contact science activities, ChemCam LIBS measurements were focused on the polygons, with two measurements on different ridges and one on a polygon center. A ChemCam passive reflectance measurement of one of the aforementioned dark cobbles was also carried out. Environmental activities included a Navcam dust-devil search and atmospheric opacity (\u201ctau\u201d) measurements.<\/p>\n<p>After driving further towards the upper boundary of the light-toned, polygon-covered unit, the three-sol Friday plan included APXS and MAHLI measurements of another polygon ridge and one of the dark-toned cobbles, \u201cCortadera.\u201d ChemCam LIBS was also targeted on \u201cCortadera\u201d and on a polygon ridge. ChemCam RMI was targeted on the top and base of the \u201cCordillera\u201d mesa. Mastcam mosaics were planned of \u201cCordillera,\u201d nearby troughs, part of the nearby \u201cValle Grande\u201d channel, and documentation of LIBS targets and the Mastcam calibration target.<\/p>\n<p>In the coming week, Curiosity will cross over into another band of materials which appear darker-toned in orbital images and rougher-textured, as viewed currently by the rover.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module alignwide wp-block-nasa-blocks-listicle\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle bg-spacesuit-white maxw-full width-full padding-0 color-mode-light nasa-gb-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-wrapper padding-y-4 padding-x-3\">\n<h2 class=\"hds-listicle-heading\"><\/h2>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 listicle-layout-basic\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 padding-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-text-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-list-text\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-22\">Want to read more posts from the Curiosity team?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"hds-listicle-list-description\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/msl-curiosity\/science-updates\/\"  class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm hds-listicle-button link-external-false\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" ><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tVisit Mission Updates                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 padding-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-text-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-list-text\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-22\">Want to learn more about Curiosity\u2019s science instruments?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"hds-listicle-list-description\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/msl-curiosity\/science-instruments\/\"  class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm hds-listicle-button link-external-false\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" ><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tVisit the Science Instruments page                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-5 round-image-section\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-rounded-image\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover listicle-media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1152&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"A rover sits on the hilly, orange Martian surface beneath a flat grey sky, surrounded by chunks of rock.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 83% 48%; object-position: 83% 48%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1152&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=900&#038;h=506&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/general\/images\/2024\/08\/buckskinmtsharpmars.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1125&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover at the base of Mount Sharp<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Jul 01, 2026<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-blogs\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Blogs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/curiosity-blog-sols-4927-4933-lets-drive-to-that-smooth-area\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04928_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_834986212EDR_F1222232NCAM00278M_.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Curiosity\u00a0Blog,\u00a0Sols\u00a04927\u20134933:\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0Drive\u00a0to\u00a0That\u00a0Smooth\u00a0Area<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/curiosity-blog-sols-4920-4926-surveying-the-bands\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"752\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04922_mcam_4922ML1095040021900935C00_DXXX.jpg?w=752&#038;h=432&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04922_mcam_4922ML1095040021900935C00_DXXX.jpg?w=752&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 752w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04922_mcam_4922ML1095040021900935C00_DXXX.jpg?w=300&#038;h=172&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04922_mcam_4922ML1095040021900935C00_DXXX.jpg?w=400&#038;h=230&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_msss_04922_mcam_4922ML1095040021900935C00_DXXX.jpg?w=600&#038;h=345&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Curiosity Blog, Sols 4920-4926: Surveying the Bands<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/curiosity-blog-sols-4913-4919-planetary-explorers-freewheeling-to-the-yardang-unit\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=1024&#038;h=640&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=1024&#038;h=640&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=300&#038;h=188&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=768&#038;h=480&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=400&#038;h=250&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=600&#038;h=375&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2026\/curiosity-rover-updates\/june\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04916_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_833905570EDR_S1221260NCAM00268M_.JPG?w=900&#038;h=563&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Curiosity Blog: Sols 4913-4919: Planetary Explorers, Freewheeling to the Yardang Unit!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It\u2019s the only planet we know of inhabited\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1517\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/mars\/resources\/detail_files\/7\/7668_Mars-viking-2-orbiter-global-view-partial-valles-marinares-PIA04304-full2.jpg?w=1600&#038;h=1517&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/resources\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>All Mars Resources<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"792\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/mars\/resources\/detail_files\/2\/5\/25757_1-PIA24543-Curiositys-Selfie-at-Mont-Mercou-main-web.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=792&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/rover-basics\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Rover Basics<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1536px\" height=\"1536px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/photojournal\/pia\/pia19\/pia19808\/PIA19808.tif?w=1536 1536w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/photojournal\/pia\/pia19\/pia19808\/PIA19808.tif?w=1536\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/science-goals\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars Exploration: Science Goals<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA\u2019s four\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=900&#038;h=506&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute Earth planning date: Friday, June 26, 2026 There were two planning cycles over this span of sols. 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Reaching this unit, the [\u2026]","twitter:creator":"@VibewireCentral"},"aioseo_meta_data":{"post_id":"467775","title":null,"description":null,"keywords":null,"keyphrases":null,"primary_term":null,"canonical_url":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"og_object_type":"default","og_image_type":"default","og_image_url":null,"og_image_width":null,"og_image_height":null,"og_image_custom_url":null,"og_image_custom_fields":null,"og_video":null,"og_custom_url":null,"og_article_section":null,"og_article_tags":null,"twitter_use_og":false,"twitter_card":"default","twitter_image_type":"default","twitter_image_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_fields":null,"twitter_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"schema":{"blockGraphs":[],"customGraphs":[],"default":{"data":{"Article":[],"Course":[],"Dataset":[],"FAQPage":[],"Movie":[],"Person":[],"Product":[],"ProductReview":[],"Car":[],"Recipe":[],"Service":[],"SoftwareApplication":[],"WebPage":[]},"graphName":"BlogPosting","isEnabled":true},"graphs":[]},"schema_type":"default","schema_type_options":null,"pillar_content":false,"robots_default":true,"robots_noindex":false,"robots_noarchive":false,"robots_nosnippet":false,"robots_nofollow":false,"robots_noimageindex":false,"robots_noodp":false,"robots_notranslate":false,"robots_max_snippet":null,"robots_max_videopreview":null,"robots_max_imagepreview":"large","priority":null,"frequency":null,"local_seo":null,"seo_analyzer_scan_date":"2026-07-01 15:39:29","breadcrumb_settings":null,"limit_modified_date":false,"open_ai":null,"ai":null,"created":"2026-07-01 15:34:29","updated":"2026-07-01 15:39:29"},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=15599\" title=\"Blogs\">Blogs<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\tCuriosity Blog, Sols 4934-4940: In the Land of the Polygons\n<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au"},{"label":"Blogs","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=15599"},{"label":"Curiosity Blog, Sols 4934-4940: In the Land of the Polygons","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=467775"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/467775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=467775"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/467775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":467777,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/467775\/revisions\/467777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=467775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=467775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=467775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}