NASA Curiosity rover captures detailed Martian cliffs

NASA’s Curiosity rover sent back its most detailed panorama yet of distant, wind-carved cliffs on Mars, called yardangs, using its Mastcam on August 11. The six-image panorama, released unaltered to preserve the Martian dawn's blue foreground, gives scientists their closest look yet at these unusual features. Curiosity, now at 0.6 miles of elevation, continues ascending Mount Sharp to study how these odd, possibly volcanic, layers formed.

• Image shows morning light on 10-mile-wide cliff layer
• Cliffs, called yardangs, stand out for odd color and tilt
• Scientists think the layer might be volcanic ash
• Curiosity has climbed highest ever on Mars at 0.6 miles
• Unprocessed image preserves early Martian dawn colors