Curiosity captures colour panorama of Mars - ABC Online

Posted August 10, 2012 12:12:11

NASA's Curiosity rover, which touched down on Mars four days ago, has sent full-colour panoramic photos of the red planet back to Earth.

The vehicle's sophisticated cameras - set like two large eyes on the newly-extended remote sensing mast - are giving scientists a rare glimpse of the Gale Crater.

The rover had previously sent black and white photos that showed a vast sediment-covered plain, with low mountains in the distance.

Scientists used the latest photographs to compile a 360 degree, horizon-to-horizon view of the area, which also includes a self-portrait of the rover.

Topics: space-exploration, astronomy-space, science-and-technology, planets-and-asteroids, united-states