Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

The Gator-Back Rocks of Mars

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 15, 2022 is “The Gator-Back Rocks of Mars,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS. The original explanation runs about 114 words.

The Gator-Back Rocks of Mars
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Wind-sharpened rocks known as ventifacts cover this broad sloping plain in the foot hills of Mount Sharp, Gale crater, Mars. Dubbed gator-back rocks their rugged, scaly appearance is captured in these digitally stitched Mastcam frames from the Curiosity rover on mission sol 3,415 (March 15, 2022).”

— APOD editors, April 15, 2022

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
April 15, 2022
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 114 words

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Topics in this entry

Mars

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: April 15 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.