Curiosity Has a Photo Day

Curiosity took a sol off from driving and spent time during the mission's Sol 25, on Aug. 31, 2012, taking images and collecting environmental monitoring data. Imaging tasks for the sol included Navigation Camera sky observations to check for clouds, and Mast Camera imaging of the terrain eastward where the rover will be driving during the next few sols.

In addition, the Mast Camera was used for taking a 360-degree panorama from the location that Curiosity reached by its Sol 24 drive.

Sol 25, in Mars local mean solar time at Gale Crater, ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 31, PDT.

Rover Completes Fourth Drive
Curiosity drove about 70 feet (about 21 meters) on Thursday, continuing its trek eastward toward a science destination called Glenelg, where it may begin using its drill. This was the rover's fourth drive since landing.

The trek to Glenelg is expected to take several weeks, including a stop beginning in the next week or two for conducting activities to check out the rover's robotic arm.

The rover is healthy. Besides the drive, Curiosity's activities during the mission's Sol 24 included imaging of the sky by the rover's Navigation Camera and data collection by environmental monitoring instruments.

Sol 24, in Mars local mean solar time at Gale Crater, ends at 11:19 p.m. Aug. 30, PDT.