NASA features Curiosity’s 2018 selfie from Vera Rubin Ridge
The 61-image panorama was recorded on 23 January 2018 and featured by NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day on 3 October 2026.
NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day has featured a Curiosity rover selfie from Vera Rubin Ridge, on the slope of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater. The image dates to 23 January 2018; 3 October 2026 is the date of its APOD feature.
The panorama combines 61 exposures taken by Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager on sol 1943. NASA says a sol is a Martian solar day, about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day.
Frames showing the imager’s arm were removed from the mosaic. The extended background came from images captured by the rover’s Mastcam on sol 1903.
In the panorama, equipment atop Curiosity’s mast blocks the distant peak of Mount Sharp. NASA describes the peak as 5 kilometres high.
NASA also said Curiosity had gained 1 kilometre in elevation from Gale Crater’s floor by 26 August 2026, as it travelled up Mount Sharp’s slope.
