Curiosity's top 10 photos of Mars after 5,000 days of exploration
Curiosity has been photographing Mars in its search for evidence of water and life for over 5,000 Martian days. Here are 10 of the most surprising and weird photos the rover has sent back to Earth.
NASA's Curiosity rover has captured more than 780,000 photos over its 5,000-day exploration of Mars, the agency announced on Aug. 30, 2026. The rover has been on the Red Planet since August 2012, far surpassing its two-year mission plan. Here are the top 10 photos from Curiosity's extensive portfolio:
1. On Feb. 19, 2014, Curiosity captured the first photo of Mount Sharp in the distance on the horizon, marking its goal to reach the mountain's base for exploration.
2. In April 2015, Curiosity took a unique photo of Mars' sunset, revealing a stunning blue sky caused by the scattering of blue light due to fine dust particles in the atmosphere.
3. On Jan. 19, 2016, Curiosity photographed itself while standing next to Namib Dune, one of many dark sand dunes near Mount Sharp. The rover sampled the sand and scuffed the dune to observe its movement.
4. On Sept. 17, 2017, Curiosity dusted off a rock's surface at Vera Rubin Ridge, allowing scientists to compare it to Earth's rocks. The reddish-purple color suggests the rock is fine-grained hematite split by fractures and filled with calcium sulfate minerals.
5. On May 7, 2022, Curiosity snapped a photo of a small opening in a cliff face that appears to resemble a door, although it's not a door for aliens. The boxy shape is caused by vertical fractures intersecting with horizontal layers in the rock.
6. After the sun set on Jan. 27, 2023, Curiosity captured a photo of a noctilucent (night-shining) cloud high in the Martian atmosphere. The cloud is made of carbon dioxide (dry ice) particles, giving it iridescent colors that indicate it recently formed.
7. In January 2024, Curiosity discovered a rock formation resembling cocoa beans, which scientists are studying to better understand the geological history of Mars.
8. On February 15, 2024, Curiosity snapped a photo of a rock formation that resembles a turtle, which has captured the attention of both scientists and the public.
9. In March 2024, Curiosity captured a photo of a meteorite lying on the Martian surface, providing valuable insights into the history of Mars and the solar system.
10. On April 10, 2025, Curiosity took a photo of the Martian landscape at sunset, showcasing the reddish hues characteristic of the planet's surface.
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