All articles tagged with #mahli
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover reveals wheel wear—holes and cracks—from nearly 14 years and about 32 km of driving, in a MAHLI image taken on Sol 4963 (July 23, 2026). NASA/JPL notes the wheels are holding up well despite rough Martian terrain as Curiosity continues to explore Gale Crater, having logged over 20 miles of travel in its long-running mission.
NASA's Curiosity rover photographed a real penny on Mars with its MAHLI camera. The coin, which traveled to Mars with the rover, sits dusty on the Martian surface, and its true purpose is to provide a known-size reference for scale in geology photos, helping scientists gauge rock features. The penny was minted in 1909 and has accumulated dust during the mission's time on Mars.
NASA’s Curiosity rover captured a rare night photo of Mars using its white LEDs with Mastcam (and MAHLI illumination) to light a drill hole nicknamed Nevado Sajama; taken on sol 4740, the image showcases color accuracy under dim Martian lighting and involved long exposure settings.
NASA's Curiosity Rover on Mars carries a 1909 Lincoln penny as part of its MAHLI instrument's calibration target, serving as a size reference for close-up photos of rocks and soil. The penny, chosen for its historical significance, has weathered the harsh Martian conditions, reflecting the rover's journey. Additionally, a cartoon figure and pigmented silicone on the calibration target aid in three-dimensional calibration and color analysis. Despite its dusty appearance, the penny remains legible, symbolizing the rover's ongoing mission to uncover Mars' past habitability for microbial life.