Mars Rover has finally arrived at a long-awaited Martian location

"One of the most difficult climbs the mission has ever faced."
By Mark Stetson and Mark Kaufman  on 
New Mars Discovery
Watch Next

Thinking about space for too long can be scary and overwhelming. Are we alone? Will we ever be able to live on another planet? Will black holes destroy the universe one day? What should you do if you ever encounter an alien? Don’t worry, our curious science producer will do all the excessive thinking for you, and teach you a thing or two in the process. With the help of experts, our producer will deep dive into all the interesting things that happen, have happened, and will happen in space.


NASA's six-wheeled robot rumbled to Gediz Vallis Ridge on Mount Sharp, a mountain the rover has slowly climbed since 2014. The ridge is evidence from some 3 billion years ago, when Mars was a wet world, replete with lakes and roaring rivers. Back then, colossal debris flows hurled mud and car-sized boulders down the mountain; eons of the whistling Martian wind then chiseled away at this material, leaving the Gediz Vallis Ridge.

Topics NASA

Mashable Image
Mark Kaufman

Mark is an award-winning journalist and the science editor at Mashable. After communicating science as a ranger with the National Park Service, he began a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating the public about the happenings in earth sciences, space, biodiversity, health, and beyond. 

You can reach Mark at [email protected].


More from Space Is Weird
10 mind-blowing facts about space
mind-blowing space facts


How worried should we be about Solar Flares?
Solar Flares

NASA's Curiosity rover finds ancient waves on Mars
Ancient Mars Waves

What the flying spiral spotted over Hawaii actually means
Picture of the swirling spiral in the night sky passing over the Subaru Telescope. Caption reads: "Swirling problem"

Latest Videos

Ti West reveals the sexy 'MaXXXine' Easter Egg you might have missed
'MaXXXine' Easter Egg


Serena Williams gets competitive while eating 'Hot Ones' spicy wings
A woman sits at a table covered in sauce bottles, drinking a glass of milk.

How to make 'The Bear's Chicago-style Italian beef with 'Binging with Babish'
Binging with Babish shows the recreated Chicago-style Italian beef.

'AFRAID' trailer teases the world's creepiest AI home assistant
A woman stands on a gloomy landing, looking scared.


'MaXXXine' cast and creator reveal which character they want to see get the next origin story
'MaXXXine' cast reveals which character they want to see get the next origin story

Prime Day 2024: 5 must-shop product categories
Miller holding up an amazon echo and ninja creami

'House of the Dragon' cast reacting to fan tweets is a fun time
Two men sit in chairs opposite each other, while a block of text is visible below.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!