The document summarizes an article about Gale Crater on Mars, which was the landing site of the Curiosity rover. Gale Crater is a 15,000 foot high impact site with rugged rock formations. Curiosity was sent to explore the crater to search for evidence that Mars could support life. The $2.5 billion mission is expected to last two years but Curiosity may continue exploring longer. Gale Crater was carefully chosen as the landing site after analyzing 60 options due to its potential for preserving organic compounds.

1. Running head: GALE CRATER ON MARS 1
Gale Crater on Mars
Name:
Institution:
Course:
Tutor:
Date of submission:

2. Running head: GALE CRATER ON MARS 2
Article analysis
The article is about a scenic crater on Mars – the Gale Crater. It was authored by Stephen
Clark and posted in the Spaceflight Now on the 22nd of July 2011. The Gale Crate is explained in
the article as being a scenic impact site that has ragged rock formations and rises over 15,000
feet high. In the endless search to determine whether Mars has the capability to support life,
scientists will be sending the $2.5 billion Curiosity rover for exploration services. The landing
site chose was reached upon after close analysis of 60 other landing sites. (Clark, 2011)
The entire project was being headed by Michael Meyer. Gale was chosen due to the
possibility of possessing organic compounds. There are scientific and geologic expectations from
this project. Both are aimed at establishing whether there has been or there is possibility of life in
Mars. The research was aimed at expanding previous findings where water had been discovered
in Mars – on ice caps and as mineral compounds in some soils. Curiosity is set to examine the
salts on the surface as well as the rock surface and any other existing components. The
explorations is set to last two years by Curiosity will continue to climb and explore for a longer
time. Before the landing site and exploration routes were determined, there was in-depth analysis
with information being provided by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. (Clark, 2011)
In my opinion, the exploration is exciting, optimistic, and very important. The analysis
that went into designing the exploration routes as well as the landing site is superb. This is
important for NASA as well as the entire world. The findings of this exploration may lead to
major changes and advances for humanity. What makes it even better is the fact that Curiosity
will continue to conduct the exploration long after the anticipated period of time. This will

3. Running head: GALE CRATER ON MARS 3
ensure that information about Mars is being relayed in a continuous fashion. The article is
informative and interesting. (Clark, 2011)

4. Running head: GALE CRATER ON MARS 4
References
Clark , S. (2011, July 22). http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1107/25gale/. Retrieved from
http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1107/25gale/