In this episode, Curiosity finds what looks like a Martian flower, finally reaches the start of
the ancient river channel and finds flaky rocks that look almost identical to rocks
from streams or rivers on earth. After a short solar conjunction,
the rover is back online and looking at some strange nodules on the ground. They are seen
in abundance in this area and the team orders Curiosity to crush some using its wheels.
The crushing doesn t go entirely as planned, but reveals a shiny substance within the rock.
The rocks seem to be getting harder than those seen in the clay bearing unit.
The rover is making good progress and coming up to a small passageway between the Greenheugh
Pediment and another big outcrop. This is given the name Maria Gordon Notch .
Curiosity took this image on Sol 3299, and it s been described as a picture postcard from Mars. It
shows the path back down Mount Sharp, and Rafael Navarro mountain can be seen on the right.
Curiosity takes a selfie on the way to Maria Gordon Notch. The rover will now pass through.
On the way through, the rover takes this incredible mosaic.
This could be the best image ever taken on Mars. The overhanging ledge, the abundance
of mineral veins, and some strange features all make this outcrop very interesting.
Just look at this huge vein. It s resisted erosion while the surrounding rock has been
slowly consumed by many years of water or wind action.
At the top of the outcrop, there are some strange looking nodules.
Why is it that these nodules only appear on top of the structure? Could it be possible that the
area was once a flowing river and those nodules couldn t form under the intense water pressure?
Curiosity would love to stay here for longer, but it has a Mountain to climb.
On Sol 3325, more clouds are observed in the Martian sky. You can see their
shadow rolling across the landscape.
This series of images shows the view directly above the rover.
On Sol 3396, Curiosity finds what some people are describing as a Martian
flower. Before we investigate, here s a quick message from our sponsor.
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This strange object is smaller than a coin, and is covered by a thick layer of Martian dust.
At first glance, it looks like a plant. However, NASA believes this to simply be
a cluster of mineral veins left over after the host rock completely eroded. We don t
often see formations like this on Earth due to the higher gravity and denser atmosphere.
On Sol 3415, Curiosity decides to once again climb up on to the top of the Greenheugh Pediment.
The rover takes this mosaic at the top - but there s a problem. The top of Greenheugh is littered
with what scientists are calling gator-back rocks , which could damage Curiosity s wheels.
The rover will have to get back down and find another way into the river channel.
This view of Greenheugh shows a sloping landscape in comparison to the level layers of the outcrops
in the distance. Could Greenheugh have been an ancient slope into water?
The rover takes a closer look at these sharp rocks before descending once again. This is
the 2nd time the rover has climbed and then had to descend from the Greenheugh Pediment.
On Sol 3492, the rover comes across some flaky rocks that look almost
identical to some rocks on Earth created by streams and rivers.
On it s 10th birthday, the rover sits here, at the start of the Gediz Vallis Channel.
It s journey has been incredible. Curiosity has driven 17 miles, or 28 kilometres.
Curiosity has acquired almost half a million images, transmitted 31 terrabytes of data,
climbed more than 2000 feet or 612 metres,
and it s findings have given way to 883 academic papers.
The rover has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that water was once prevalent on Mars, and not
just acidic water - but fresh water suitable for the creation of life as we know it.
Curiosity has well outlasted its primary mission, and will continue to rove the
Martian surface for many years to come, until the failing of it s final instrument.
A newer generation of rover is already on the Martian surface, called Perseverance, doing
everything that Curiosity could and more. The inclusion of a microphone for capturing
Martian sounds, a helicopter to scout ahead, and higher quality cameras all
make Perseverance the superior mission. But does it have the curiosity to continue?
Click here to see our series on the Perseverance rover,
to see if it will in fact outlast Curiosity. Thanks for watching Elderfox. Please share this
series with anyone who doubts Mars once had liquid water.