Curiosity Self-Portrait at Martian Sand Dune

This self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle at "Namib Dune," where the rover's activities included scuffing into the dune with a wheel and scooping samples of sand for laboratory analysis.

Photo details

The scene combines 57 images taken on Jan. 19, 2016, during the 1,228th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars. The camera used for this is the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) at the end of the rover's robotic arm.

The view does not include the rover's arm. Wrist motions and turret rotations on the arm allowed MAHLI to acquire the mosaic's component images. The arm was positioned out of the shot in the images, or portions of images, that were used in this mosaic. This process was used previously in acquiring and assembling Curiosity self-portraits taken at sample-collection sites, including:

• "Rocknest",
• "Windjana",
• and "Buckskin".

For scale, the rover's wheels are 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter and about 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide. 

MAHLI was built by Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL designed and built the project's Curiosity rover.

What is Namib Dune?

Namib Dune is part of the dark-sand "Bagnold Dune Field" along the northwestern flank of Mount Sharp. Images taken from orbit have shown that dunes in the Bagnold field move as much as about 3 feet (1 meter) per Earth year.

The location of Namib Dune is shown on a map of Curiosity's route (here). The relationship of Bagnold Dune Field to the lower portion of Mount Sharp is shown in a map (here).

The intricate details, including the rover's impressive 20-inch diameter wheels and the dynamic Martian landscape, make this print perfect for space enthusiasts, science lovers, and admirers of NASA's incredible missions.

Add this remarkable portrayal of Curiosity's groundbreaking work on Mars to your home, office, or educational setting and celebrate humanity's quest for exploration.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

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