{{short description|Martian mountain}} {{for|the mountain in Antarctica|Mount Sharp (Antarctica)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox feature on celestial object |name = Aeolis Mons |image = 673885main PIA15986-full full.jpg |caption = The rover ''[[Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'' landed on August 6, 2012, near the base of Aeolis Mons. |location = [[Gale crater]] on [[Mars]] |coordinates = {{coord|5.08|S|137.85|E|globe:mars_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |peak = Aeolis Mons – {{convert|5.5|km|abbr=on}} {{cvt|18045|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="NASA-20120327" /> |discoverer = [[NASA]] in the 1970s |eponym = Aeolis Mons – [[Aeolis quadrangle|Aeolis albedo feature]]<br /><small>''Mount Sharp'' – [[Robert P. Sharp]] (1911–2004)</small> }} '''Mount Sharp''', officially '''Aeolis Mons''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|iː|ə|l|ɪ|s|_|m|ɒ|n|z}}), is a mountain on [[Mars]]. It forms the central peak within [[Gale (crater)|Gale]] crater and is located around {{coord|5.08|S|137.85|E|globe:Mars}}, rising {{convert|5.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} high from the valley floor. Its ID in the [[United States Geological Survey]]'s Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature is 15000.<ref name=usgs>[https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/15000 Aeolis Mons]</ref>

On August 6, 2012, ''[[Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'' (the [[Mars Science Laboratory]] rover) landed in "Yellowknife" ''Quad 51''<ref name="NASA-20120810">{{cite web |author=NASA Staff |title=Curiosity's Quad – IMAGE |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4408 |date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 11, 2012 |author-link=NASA }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20120809">{{cite web |last1=Agle |first1=DC |last2=Webster |first2=Guy |last3=Brown |first3=Dwayne |title=NASA's Curiosity Beams Back a Color 360 of Gale Crate |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120809.html |date=August 9, 2012 |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602033109/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120809.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="BBC-20120809">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Mars rover makes first colour panorama |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19201742 |date=August 9, 2012|newspaper=[[BBC News]] |access-date=August 9, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="USA-20120809">{{cite news |last=Halvorson |first=Todd |title=Quad 51: Name of Mars base evokes rich parallels on Earth |url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/story/2012-08-09/mars-panorama-curiosity-quad-51/56922978/1 |date=August 9, 2012 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=August 12, 2012 }}</ref> of [[Aeolis Palus]],<ref name="NASA-20120806">{{cite web|author=NASA Staff|title=NASA Lands Car-Size Rover Beside Martian Mountain|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-230|date=August 6, 2012|publisher=[[NASA]]|access-date=August 6, 2012|archive-date=August 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814201019/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-230}}</ref> next to the mountain. NASA named the landing site [[Bradbury Landing]] on August 22, 2012.<ref name="NASA-20120822">{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Dwayne |last2=Cole |first2=Steve |last3=Webster |first3=Guy |last4=Agle |first4=D.C. |title=NASA Mars Rover Begins Driving at Bradbury Landing |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/aug/HQ_12-292_Mars_Bradbury_Landing.html |date=August 22, 2012 |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115041146/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/aug/HQ_12-292_Mars_Bradbury_Landing.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aeolis Mons is a primary goal for scientific study.<ref>{{cite web |author=NASA Staff |title=NASA Lands Car-Size Rover Beside Martian Mountain |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-230 |date=August 6, 2012 |publisher=[[NASA]]/[[JPL]] |access-date=August 7, 2012 |archive-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814201019/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-230 }}</ref> On June 5, 2013, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' would begin an {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} journey from the [[Glenelg, Mars|Glenelg area]] to the base of Aeolis Mons. On November 13, 2013, NASA announced that an entryway the rover would traverse on its way to Aeolis Mons was to be named "Murray Buttes", in honor of [[planetary scientist]] [[Bruce C. Murray]] (1931–2013).<ref name="NASA-20131113">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |title=Mars Rover Teams Dub Sites In Memory of Bruce Murray |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1542 |date=November 13, 2013 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=November 14, 2013 }}</ref> The trip was expected to take about a year and would include stops along the way to study the local terrain.<ref name="NASA-20130605">{{cite web |title=From 'Glenelg' to Mount Sharp |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=5326 |date=June 5, 2013|work=[[NASA]] |access-date=June 6, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="AP-20130605">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Alicia |title=Curiosity rover to head toward Mars mountain soon |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130605/DA6NQG0G2.html |date=June 5, 2013 |work=[[AP News]] |access-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202154552/http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130605/DA6NQG0G2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20130607">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=Martian Rock Another Clue to a Once Water-Rich Planet|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/science/space/martian-rock-another-clue-to-a-once-water-rich-planet.html|date=June 7, 2013 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=June 7, 2013 }}</ref>

On September 11, 2014, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' had reached Aeolis Mons, the rover mission's long-term prime destination.<ref name="NASA-20140911">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Agle |first2=DC |last3=Brown |first3=Dwayne |title=NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover Arrives at Martian Mountain |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-307 |date=September 11, 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=September 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20140911">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=After a Two-Year Trek, NASA's Mars Rover Reaches Its Mountain Lab |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/science/space/after-a-two-year-trek-nasa-mars-rover-reaches-its-mountain-lab.html |date=September 11, 2014 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=September 12, 2014 }}</ref> Possible [[recurrent slope lineae]], wet [[brine]] flows, were reported on Mount Sharp near ''Curiosity'' in 2015.<ref name="NYT-20151005-kc">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=Mars Is Pretty Clean. Her Job at NASA Is to Keep It That Way. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/science/mars-catharine-conley-nasa-planetary-protection-officer.html |date=October 5, 2015 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=October 6, 2015 }}</ref> In June 2017, NASA reported that an ancient [[Lake stratification|striated]] lake had existed in Gale crater that could have been favorable for [[Microorganism|microbial life]].<ref name="NASA-20170531" /><ref name="NASA-20170601" /><ref name="SCI-20170602" />

==Formation== The mountain appears to be an enormous mound of eroded sedimentary layers sitting on the central peak of Gale. It rises {{convert|5.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} above the northern crater floor and {{convert|4.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} above the southern crater floor, higher than the southern crater rim. The sediments may have been laid down over an interval of 2 billion years,<ref name="themis"> {{cite web | url = http://themis.asu.edu/features/galecrater | title = Gale Crater's History Book | work = [[Arizona State University]] <!--- http://themis.mars.asu.edu/ Mars Odyssey THEMIS web site ---> | access-date = December 7, 2012}}</ref> and may have once completely filled the crater. Some of the lower sediment layers may have originally been deposited on a lake bed,<ref name="themis"/> while observations of possibly cross-bedded strata in the upper mound suggest [[aeolian processes]].<ref name="Anderson2010"> {{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=R. B. |last2=Bell III |first2=J. F. |year=2010 |title=Geologic mapping and characterization of Gale Crater and implications for its potential as a Mars Science Laboratory landing site |journal=International Journal of Mars Science and Exploration |volume=5 |pages=76–128 |bibcode=2010IJMSE...5...76A |doi=10.1555/mars.2010.0004 }}</ref> However, this issue is debated,<ref name="Cabrol_1999"> {{cite journal |last = Cabrol |first = N. A. |year = 1999 |title = Hydrogeologic evolution of Gale Crater and its relevance in the exobiological exploration of Mars |url = http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/conferences/lplc/2008/abstracts/60_sdarticle%282%29.pdf |journal = [[Icarus (journal)|Icarus]] |volume = 139 |issue = 2 |pages = 235–245 |bibcode = 1999Icar..139..235C |doi = 10.1006/icar.1999.6099 |display-authors = etal |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213332/http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/conferences/lplc/2008/abstracts/60_sdarticle%282%29.pdf |archive-date = October 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Irwin_2005">{{cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=R. P. |last2=Howard |first2=A. D. |last3=Craddock |first3=R. A. |last4=Moore |first4=J. M. |year=2005 |title=An intense terminal epoch of widespread fluvial activity on early Mars: 2. Increased runoff and paleolake development |journal=[[Journal of Geophysical Research]] |volume=110 |issue=E12 |pages=E12S15 |bibcode=2005JGRE..11012S15I |doi=10.1029/2005JE002460 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and the origin of the lower layers remains unclear.<ref name="Anderson2010" /> If [[katabatic wind]] deposition played the predominant role in the emplacement of the sediments, as suggested by reported 3 degree radial slopes of the mound's layers, erosion would have come into play largely to place an upper limit on the mound's growth.<ref name = "Wall_2013">{{cite web | last = Wall | first = M. | title = Bizarre Mars Mountain Possibly Built by Wind, Not Water | publisher = [[Space.com]] | date = May 6, 2013 | url = http://www.space.com/20986-mars-mountain-water-formation.html | access-date = May 13, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="KiteLewis2013">{{cite journal|last1=Kite|first1=E. S.|last2=Lewis|first2=K. W.|last3=Lamb|first3=M. P.|last4=Newman|first4=C. E.|last5=Richardson|first5=M. I.|title=Growth and form of the mound in Gale Crater, Mars: Slope wind enhanced erosion and transport|journal=Geology|volume= 41|issue=5|year= 2013|pages=543–546|issn= 0091-7613|doi= 10.1130/G33909.1|arxiv=1205.6840|bibcode=2013Geo....41..543K|s2cid=119249853}}</ref>

On December 8, 2014, a panel of NASA scientists discussed ([http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/56255521 archive 62:03)] the latest observations of ''Curiosity'' about how water may have helped shape the landscape of Mars, including Aeolis Mons, and had a climate long ago that could have produced long-lasting lakes at many Martian locations.<ref name="NASA-20141208">{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Dwayne |last2=Webster |first2=Guy |title=Release 14-326 – NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Clues to How Water Helped Shape Martian Landscape |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/december/nasa-s-curiosity-rover-finds-clues-to-how-water-helped-shape-martian-landscape/ |date=December 8, 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=December 8, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20141208">{{cite news |last=Kaufmann |first=Marc |title=(Stronger) Signs of Life on Mars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/science/-stronger-signs-of-life-on-mars.html |date=December 8, 2014 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=December 8, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20141208-KC">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=Curiosity Rover's Quest for Clues on Mars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/science/curiosity-rovers-quest-for-clues-on-mars.html |date=December 8, 2014 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=December 9, 2014 }}</ref>

On October 8, 2015, NASA confirmed that lakes and streams existed in Gale crater 3.3 - 3.8 billion years ago delivering sediments to build up the lower layers of Mount Sharp.<ref name="NASA-20151008">{{cite web |last=Clavin |first=Whitney |title=NASA's Curiosity Rover Team Confirms Ancient Lakes on Mars |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4734 |date=October 8, 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=October 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="SCI-20151009">{{cite journal |author=Grotzinger, J.P. |title=Deposition, exhumation, and paleoclimate of an ancient lake deposit, Gale crater, Mars |date=October 9, 2015 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=350 |number=6257 |doi=10.1126/science.aac7575 |display-authors=etal |article-number=aac7575 |pmid=26450214|bibcode=2015Sci...350.7575G |s2cid=586848 |url=https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20151009-084255932 }}</ref>

On February 1, 2019, NASA scientists [[Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory#2019 events|reported]] that ''Curiosity'' had determined, for the first time, the density of Mount Sharp in Gale crater, thereby establishing a clearer understanding of how the mountain was formed.<ref name="NYT-20100131">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=How NASA's Curiosity Rover Weighed a Mountain on Mars - With a bit of technical improvisation, scientists worked out that the bedrock of Mount Sharp appeared to be less dense than had been expected. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/science/mars-curiosity-rover-mount-sharp.html |date=January 31, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 1, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="SCI-20190201">{{cite journal |author=Lewis, Kevin W. |title=A surface gravity traverse on Mars indicates low bedrock density at Gale crater |date=February 1, 2019 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=363 |issue=6426 |pages=535–537 |doi=10.1126/science.aat0738 |pmid=30705193 |bibcode=2019Sci...363..535L |s2cid=59567599 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Size comparisons== [[File:Apollo 15 Rover, Irwin.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Mons Hadley]], on the [[Moon]], is {{convert|4.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} high. Here it is being visited by the [[Apollo 15]] [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]].<ref name="price">{{cite book | author=Fred W. Price | title=The Moon observer's handbook | publisher=Cambridge University Press | location=London | year=1988 | isbn= 978-0-521-33500-3}}</ref>]] {| class="sortable wikitable" align="right" style=font-size:11px ! Mountain ! km high |- style="background:#CCCCFF;" | Aeolis || 5.5 |- | Huygens || 5.5 |- | Denali || 5.5 (btp) |- | Blanc || 4.8 (asl) |- | Uhuru || 4.6 (btp) |- | Fuji || 3.8 (asl) |- | Zugspitze || 3 |- |}

Aeolis Mons is {{convert|5.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} high, about the same height as [[Mons Huygens]], the [[List of tallest mountains in the Solar System|tallest lunar mountain]], and taller than [[Mons Hadley]] visited by [[Apollo 15]]. The [[List of tallest mountains in the Solar System|tallest mountain known in the Solar System]] is in [[Rheasilvia]] crater on the asteroid [[4 Vesta|Vesta]], which contains a central mound that rises {{convert|22|km|mi ft|abbr=on}} high; [[Olympus Mons]] on Mars is nearly the same height, at {{convert|21.9|km|mi ft|abbr=on}} high.

In comparison, [[Mount Everest]] rises to {{convert|8.8|km|ft|abbr=on}} altitude above sea level (asl), but is only [[Mount Everest#Comparisons|{{convert|4.6|km|ft|abbr=on}}]] (base-to-peak) (btp).<ref name="washburn_map">''Mount Everest'' (1:50,000 scale map), prepared under the direction of [[Bradford Washburn]] for the Boston Museum of Science, the Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, and the [[National Geographic Society]], 1991, {{ISBN|3-85515-105-9}}</ref> Africa's [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] is about {{convert|5.9|km|ft|abbr=on}} altitude above sea level to the Uhuru peak;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mountkilimanjaroguide.com/kilimanjaro-height.html|title=Kilimajaro Guide—Kilimanjaro 2010 Precise Height Measurement Expedition| access-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref> also 4.6&nbsp;km base-to-peak.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://climbing.about.com/od/mountainclimbing/a/KilimanjaroFact.htm |title=S. Green – Kilimanjaro: Highest Mountain in Africa – About.com |access-date=August 12, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109140427/http://climbing.about.com/od/mountainclimbing/a/KilimanjaroFact.htm }}</ref> America's [[Denali]], also known as ''Mount McKinley'', has a base-to-peak of {{convert|5.5|km|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>Adam Helman, 2005. ''The Finest Peaks : Prominence and Other Mountain Measures'', p. 9: "the base to peak rise of Mount McKinley is the largest of any mountain that lies entirely above sea level, some 18000 feet"</ref> The Franco-Italian ''[[Mont Blanc|Mont Blanc/Monte Bianco]]'' is {{convert|4.8|km|ft|abbr=on}} in altitude above sea level,<ref>[http://www.summitpost.org/zugspitze/150322 Sumitpostorg – Zugspitze]</ref><ref name=smh4810.45>{{cite news|title=Mont Blanc shrinks by 45cm in two years|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/mont-blanc-shrinks-by-45cm-in-two-years-20091106-i0kk.html|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=November 6, 2009}}</ref> [[Mount Fuji]], which overlooks Tokyo, Japan, is about {{convert|3.8|km|ft|abbr=on}} altitude. Compared to the [[List of mountains in the Andes|Andes]], Aeolis Mons would rank outside the hundred tallest peaks, being roughly the same height as Argentina's [[Cerro Pajonal]]; the peak is higher than any above sea level in Oceania, but base-to peak it is considerably shorter than Hawaii's [[Mauna Kea]] and [[Mountain peaks of Hawaii|its neighbors]].

==Name== Discovered in the 1970s,{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} the mountain remained unnamed for several decades. When Gale crater became a candidate landing site, the mountain was given various labels e.g. in 2010 a NASA photo caption called it "Gale crater mound".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/multimedia/pia12508.html |title=NASA – Layers in Lower Formation of Gale Crater Mound |access-date=August 8, 2012 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706224108/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/multimedia/pia12508.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2012, NASA unofficially named it "Mount Sharp", after American geologist [[Robert P. Sharp]].<ref name="NASA-20120327" /><ref name="skytel">{{cite news|url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Mount-Sharp-or-Aeolis-Mons-166210446.html |title=Mount Sharp or Aeolis Mons? |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |date=August 14, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328110501/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Mount-Sharp-or-Aeolis-Mons-166210446.html |archive-date=March 28, 2013 }}</ref> [[File:PIA15292-Fig2-MarsMountSharp-HeightComparison.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Comparison of ''Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons)'' to the sizes of three large mountains on Earth.]] Since 1919 the [[International Astronomical Union]] (IAU) has been the official body responsible for [[planetary nomenclature]]. Under its long-established [[Planetary nomenclature#Mars|rules for naming features on Mars]], mountains are named after the [[classical albedo features on Mars|classical albedo feature]] in which they are located, not after people. In May 2012 the IAU officially named the mountain Aeolis Mons after the [[Classical albedo features on Mars#A|Aeolis albedo feature]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Planetary Names: Mons, montes: Aeolis Mons on Mars |url=https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/15000 |website=Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=May 30, 2018 |quote=Approval Date: May 16, 2012. Origin: Classical albedo feature name}}</ref> It also gave the name [[Aeolis Palus]] to the plain located on the crater floor between the northern wall of Gale and the northern foothills of the mountain.<ref name="NASA-20120327">{{cite web |date=March 27, 2012 |title="Mount Sharp" on Mars Compared to Three Big Mountains on Earth |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia15292-Fig2.html |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507134815/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia15292-Fig2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Space-20120329">{{cite web|author=Space.com staff |date=March 29, 2012 |title=NASA's New Mars Rover Will Explore Towering "Mount Sharp" |url=http://www.space.com/15097-mars-mountain-sharp-curiosity-rover.html |publisher=[[Space.com]] |access-date=March 30, 2012}}</ref><ref name="IAU-20120516">{{cite web|last=Blue |first=J. |date=May 16, 2012 |title=Three New Names Approved for Features on Mars |url=https://astrogeology.usgs.gov/HotTopics/index.php?/archives/447-Three-New-Names-Approved-for-Features-on-Mars.html |publisher=[[US Geological Survey]] |access-date=May 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728141903/http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/HotTopics/index.php?%2Farchives%2F447-Three-New-Names-Approved-for-Features-on-Mars.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20120328">{{cite web |last=Agle |first=D. C. |date=March 28, 2012 |title='Mount Sharp' On Mars Links Geology's Past and Future |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120328.html |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205729/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120328.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The IAU's choice of name is supported by the [[United States Geological Survey]].<ref name="IAU-20120516"/> Martian craters are named after deceased scientists, so in recognition of NASA and Sharp, at the same time the IAU named "[[Robert Sharp (crater)|Robert Sharp]]", a large crater ({{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}} diameter) located about {{convert|260|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Gale.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planetary Names: Crater, craters: Robert Sharp on Mars |url=https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/15002 |website=Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=May 30, 2018 |quote=Approval Date: May 16, 2012. Origin: Robert Phillip; American geologist (1911-2004)}}</ref>

NASA and the [[European Space Agency]]<ref>[http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMEV8TX55H_index_0.html ESA – Mars Express marks the spot for Curiosity landing]</ref> continue to refer to the mountain as "Mount Sharp" in press conferences and press releases. This is similar to their use of other informal names, such as the [[Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]] near one of the [[Mars Exploration Rover]] landing sites.

In August 2012, the magazine ''[[Sky & Telescope]]'' ran an article explaining the rationale of the two names and held an informal poll to determine which one was preferred by their readers. Over 2700 people voted, with Aeolis Mons winning by 57% to Mount Sharp's 43%.<ref name="skytel"/>

==Spacecraft exploration== {{main|Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory}} {{wide image|PIA18782-MarsCuriosityRover-GeologyMap-LowerMountSharp-20140911.png|800px|align-cap=center|Geology map – from the crater floor in [[Aeolis Palus]] up the slopes of Aeolis Mons<br />(September 11, 2014).}} {{wide image|PIA19840-MarsCuriosityRover-HiddenValley-Sol703-Rel20151008.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Rocks in "Hidden Valley" near the "Pahrump Hills" on the slopes of Aeolis Mons as viewed from ''Curiosity''<br />(September 11, 2014; [[Color balance|white balanced]]).}} On December 16, 2014, NASA reported detecting, based on measurements by the ''Curiosity'' rover, an unusual increase, then decrease, in the amounts of [[methane]] in the [[Atmosphere of Mars|atmosphere]] of the planet Mars; as well as, detecting Martian [[organic chemical]]s in powder drilled from a [[List of rocks on Mars|rock]] by the rover. Also, based on [[deuterium]] to [[hydrogen]] ratio studies, much of the [[Water on Mars|water]] at Gale Crater on Mars was found to have been lost during ancient times, before the lakebed in the crater was formed; afterwards, large amounts of water continued to be lost.<ref name="NASA-20141216-GW">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Neal-Jones |first2=Nancy |last3=Brown |first3=Dwayne |title=NASA Rover Finds Active and Ancient Organic Chemistry on Mars |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-432 |date=December 16, 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20141216-KC">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title='A Great Moment': Rover Finds Clue That Mars May Harbor Life |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/science/a-new-clue-in-the-search-for-life-on-mars.html |date=December 16, 2014 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=December 16, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="SCI-20141216-PRM">{{cite journal |author=Mahaffy, P.R. |display-authors=etal |title=Mars Atmosphere – The imprint of atmospheric evolution in the D/H of Hesperian clay minerals on Mars |date=December 16, 2014 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |doi=10.1126/science.1260291 |bibcode=2015Sci...347..412M |volume=347 |issue=6220 |pages=412–414 |pmid=25515119|s2cid=37075396 |url=https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20141210-083740627 }}</ref>

On June 1, 2017, NASA reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover provided evidence of an ancient lake in Gale crater on Mars that could have been favorable for [[microorganism|microbial life]]; the ancient lake was [[Lake stratification|stratified]], with shallows rich in [[Oxidizing agent|oxidants]] and depths poor in oxidants; and, the ancient lake provided many different types of microbe-friendly environments at the same time. NASA further reported that the [[Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory|''Curiosity'' rover]] will continue to explore higher and younger layers of Mount Sharp in order to determine how the lake environment in ancient times on Mars became the drier environment in more modern times.<ref name="NASA-20170531">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Mullane |first2=Laura |last3=Cantillo |first3=Laurie |last4=Brown |first4=Dwayne |title=High-Silica 'Halos' Shed Light on Wet Ancient Mars |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6859 |date=May 31, 2017 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=June 1, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20170601">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Filiano |first2=Gregory |last3=Perkins |first3=Robert|last4=Cantillo |first4=Laurie |last5=Brown |first5=Dwayne |title=Curiosity Peels Back Layers on Ancient Martian Lake |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6863 |date=June 1, 2017 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=June 1, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="SCI-20170602">{{cite journal |author=Hurowitz, J.A.|display-authors=etal|title=Redox stratification of an ancient lake in Gale crater, Mars |date=June 2, 2017 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=356 |issue=6341 |article-number=eaah6849 |doi=10.1126/science.aah6849 |pmid=28572336 |bibcode=2017Sci...356.6849H |doi-access=free |hdl=10044/1/53715 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

On August 5, 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the ''Curiosity'' landing, and related exploratory accomplishments, on the planet Mars.<ref name="NASA-20170802">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Cantillo |first2=Laurie |last3=Brown |first3=Dwayne |title=Five Years Ago and 154 Million Miles Away: Touchdown! |url=https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/news/2017/five-years-ago-and-154-million-miles-away-touchdown |date=August 2, 2017 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="SP-20170805">{{cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |title=After 5 Years on Mars, NASA's Curiosity Rover Is Still Making Big Discoveries |url=https://www.space.com/37722-mars-rover-curiosity-five-years-anniversary.html |date=August 5, 2017 |work=[[Space.com]] |access-date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> (Videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxvODcuFb1s ''Curiosity''{{'s}} First Five Years (02:07)]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0nPFaBU98k ''Curiosity''{{'s}} POV: Five Years Driving (05:49)]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-uAz82sH-E ''Curiosity''{{'s}} Discoveries About Gale Crater (02:54)])

On April 11, 2019, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' had drilled into, and closely studied, a "[[Clay|clay-bearing unit]]" which, according to the rover Project Manager, is a "major milestone" in ''Curiosity''{{'s}} journey up Mount Sharp.<ref name="NASA-20190411">{{cite news |last=Good |first=Andrew |title=Curiosity Tastes First Sample in 'Clay-Bearing Unit' |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7376 |date=April 11, 2019 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=April 12, 2019 }}</ref> [[File:PIA23179-MarsCuriosityRoverExploersMountSharp-20190515.jpg|thumb|center|800px|{{center|Mars ''Curiosity'' rover explores Mount Sharp (May 15, 2019)}}]]

In January 2023, ''Curiosity'' viewed and studied the "Cacao" meteorite. [[File:PIA25737-MarsCuriosityRover-CacaoMeteorite-20230128.jpg|thumb|center|500px|<div align="center">''Curiosity'' views the "Cacao" meteorite (28 January 2023)</div>]]

In August 2023, ''Curiosity'' explored the upper [[Gediz Vallis Ridge]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Deborah Padgett |title=Sols 3923-3925: Approaching the Ridgetop – "Bermuda Triangle" Ahead! |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission-updates/9465/sols-3923-3925-approaching-the-ridgetop-bermuda-triangle-ahead |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=NASA Mars Exploration |date=August 21, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Emma Harris |title=Sols 3930-3931: Wrapping up at the Ridge |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission-updates/9470/sols-3930-3931-wrapping-up-at-the-ridge |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=NASA Mars Exploration |date=August 29, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> A panoramic view of the ridge is [[:File:PIA26019-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-20230814.jpg|here]], and a 3D rendered view is [[:File:PIA26020-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-3dRendered-Aug2023.jpg|here]].

[[File:PIA26042-MarsCuriosityRover-PathToGedizVallisRidge-Animation-Aug2023.gif|thumb|center|500px|<div align="center">The path of ''Curiosity'' to [[Gediz Vallis Ridge]] and beyond (August 2023)</div>]]

===''Curiosity'' mission === {{see also|Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory#Arrival at Mount Sharp}} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; width:600px;" ! ''Curiosity'' at Mount Sharp |- | style="font-size:88%" | [[File:PIA19142-MarsCuriosityRover-Self-Mojave-20150131.jpg|800px]] {{center|Self-portrait of ''Curiosity'' at the Mojave site (January 31, 2015).}} |} As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}}, ''Curiosity'' has been on the planet Mars for {{Curiosity Mission Timer}} [[Martian day|sols]] ({{time interval|6 August 2012 05:17:57|show=d|disp=raw}} [[day|total days]]) since landing on August 6, 2012. Since September 11, 2014, ''Curiosity'' has been [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ exploring] the slopes of [[Aeolis Mons|Mount Sharp]],<ref name="NASA-20140911" /><ref name="NYT-20140911" /> where more information about the [[Geological history of Mars|history of Mars]] is expected to be found.<ref name="NASA-20130806">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=Mars Curiosity Landing: Relive the Excitement |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1503 |date=August 6, 2013 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010710/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1503 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> As of January 26, 2021, the rover has traveled over {{convert|24.15|km|mi|abbr=on}} and climbed over {{convert|327|m|ft|abbr=on}} in elevation<ref name="NASA-20130827a">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=PIA17355: Curiosity's Progress on Route from 'Glenelg' to Mount Sharp |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/|date=January 19, 2017 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=January 22, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20161213a">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=PIA21145: Curiosity Rover's Martian Mission, Exaggerated Cross Section |url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21145 |date=December 13, 2016 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=December 15, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20180130">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=Wide-Angle Panorama from Ridge in Mars' Gale Crater |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA22210 |date=January 30, 2018 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=January 31, 2018 }}</ref> to, and around, the mountain base since landing at "[[Bradbury Landing]]" in August 2012.<ref name="NASA-20130827a" /><ref name="NASA-20161213a" /> {{multiple image | header = ''Curiosity'' exploring the slopes of [[Aeolis Mons|Mount Sharp]].<ref name="NASA-20140911" /><ref name="NYT-20140911" /> | header_align = center | caption_align = center | align = center | direction = horizontal | image1 = PIA17946-MarsCuriosityRover-PlannedRoute-20140218.jpg | width1 = 200 | alt1 = | caption1 = [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ Close-up map] - planned route from "Dingo Gap" to "Kimberley" (KMS-9) ([http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6015 HiRISE image])<br />(February 18, 2014/Sol 547). | image2 = TraverseMap-MarsCuriosityRover-Sol2692-20200303.jpg | width2 = 400 | alt2 = | caption2 = [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ Traverse map] - ''Curiosity'' has traveled over {{convert|21.92|km|mi|abbr=on}} since leaving its "''start''" point in Yellowknife Bay on July 4, 2013 (now beyond the "[[:File:Curiosity Rover Landing Site - Quadmapping Yellowknife.jpg|3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse]]" [[:File:Mars Science Laboratory landing ellipse reduced.jpg|border]]) ([https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/?ImageID=9836 HiRISE image])<br />(March 3, 2020/Sol 2692). | image3 = PIA23412-MarsCuriosityRover-Mid2019Map-20190822.jpg | width3 = 200 | alt3 = | caption3 = [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ Context map] - ''Curiosity''{{'s}} trip to [[Aeolis Mons|Mount Sharp]] (''star'' = landing)<br />(August 22, 2019/Sol 2504). | footer = Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona | footer_align = right }} <br /> {{wide image|LocationMap-MarsCuriosityRover-Sol2692-20200303.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Location map - [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]] at the base of [[Aeolis Mons|Mount Sharp]] - as viewed from Space ([[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter|MRO]]; [[HiRISE]]; March 3, 2020/Sol 2692).}} {{wide image |PIA16768-MarsCuriosityRover-AeolisMons-20120920.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view of "Mount Sharp" (September 20, 2012; [[Color balance|white balanced]]) ([http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16769.jpg raw color]).}} {{wide image|PIA19912-MarsCuriosityRover-MountSharp-20151002.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view of "Mount Sharp" (September 9, 2015).}} {{wide image|Martian-Sunset-O-de-Goursac-Curiosity-2013.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view of [[Extraterrestrial skies#Mars|Mars sky]] at [[Sunset#Planets|sunset]] (February 2013; Sun simulated by artist).}}

==Gallery== {{collapsetop|Mount Sharp - related Images|<!---expand=yes--->}} <gallery> Image:PIA16064-Mars Curiosity Rover Treasure Map.jpg|Overview map - blue oval marks "Base of Aeolis Mons" (August 17, 2012). Image:MarsCuriosityRover-TraverseMap-Sol-0746-20140911.jpg|Traverse map - route from [[Bradbury Landing|Landing]] to slopes on Aeolis Mons (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18475-MarsCuriosityRover--HIRISE-TraverseMap-PahrumpHills-20140911.jpg|Close-up Map - new route (yellow) - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18780-MarsCuriosityRover-HIRISE-PlannedRouteMap-PahrumpHills-MountSharp-20140911.jpg|Close-up map - new route (yellow) - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18474-MarsCuriosityRover-GaleCrater-TopographicMap-PahrumpHills-20140911.jpg|Close-up map - Aeolis Mons slopes - with few craters (bottom) (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18785-MarsCuriosityRover-HIRISE-MurrayRidge-Transition-20140911.jpg|Geology map - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18781-MarsCuriosityRover-GeologyMap-LowerMountSharp-20140911.jpg|Geology map - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA17587-MarsCuriosityRover-MurrayButtes-20131113.jpg|"Murray Buttes" knobs - Aeolis Mons slopes (November 13, 2013).<ref name="NASA-20131113" /> Image:PIA18783-MarsCuriosityRover-HIRISE-MurrayButtesMesa-20140911.jpg|"Murray Buttes" mesa - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:PIA18784-MarsCuriosityRover-HIRISE-MurrayRidgeFormation-20140911.jpg|"Murray Formation" bands - Aeolis Mons slopes (September 11, 2014). Image:Pia19039 some key places in a survey of the "Pahrump Hills" .jpg|"Pahrump Hills" - Notable places at base of Aeolis Mons (Autumn, 2014). Image:PIA18883-MarsCuriosityRover-PahrumpHills-Sand-20141113.jpg|"Pahrump Hills" [[Martian soil|sand]] - viewed by ''Curiosity'' (November 13, 2014). Image:PIA18882-MarsCuriosityRover-PahrumpHillsSand-WheelTrack-20141107.tif|"Pahrump Hills" [[Martian soil|sand]] - ''Curiosity''{{'s}} tracks (November 7, 2014). Image:PIA18610-MarsCuriosityRover-PahrumpHillsOutcrop-Mahli-Sol758-20140923.jpg|"[[List of rocks on Mars#Curiosity|Pahrump Hills]]" rock outcrop on Mars – viewed by ''Curiosity'' (September 23, 2014). Image:PIA18609 - First Sampling Hole in Mount Sharp .jpg|"[[List of rocks on Mars#Curiosity|Confidence Hills]]" rock on Mars - ''Curiosity''{{'s}} 1st target at Aeolis Mons (September 24, 2014). Image:PIA18881-MarsCuriosityRover-PahrumpHillsBedrock-20141109.tif|"Pahrump Hills" [[bedrock]] on Mars - viewed by ''Curiosity'' (November 9, 2014). Image:PIA18880-MarsCuriosityRover-PinkCliffs-20141007.jpg|"Pink Cliffs" [[rock outcrop]] on Mars - viewed by ''Curiosity'' (October 7, 2014). Image:PIA19066-MarsCuriosityRover-AlexanderHillsRock-20141123-Fig1.jpg|"Alexander Hills" [[bedrock]] on Mars - viewed by ''Curiosity'' (November 23, 2014). Image:PIA19080-MarsRoverCuriosity-AncientGaleLake-Simulated-20141208.jpg|Ancient Lake fills Gale Crater on Mars (simulated view). Image:100 m of the Murray formation.jpg|Murray formation lakebeds with aeolian(?) erosional fins (October 9, 2016) Image:PIA23138-MarsCuriosityRover-Drills-ClayBearingUnit-20190406.gif|''Curiosity'' drilled into a "[[Clay|clay-bearing unit]]".<ref name="NASA-20190411" /> (April 11, 2019) </gallery> <gallery> Image:PIA19674-Mars-GaleCrater-SurfaceMaterials-20150619.jpg|Gale crater - surface materials (false colors; [[Thermal Emission Imaging System|THEMIS]]; [[2001 Mars Odyssey]]). Image:Topographic Map of Gale Crater.jpg|[[Gale crater]] with Aeolis Mons rising from the center. ''Curiosity's'' landing area (marked) is in [[Aeolis Palus]]. Image:Curiosity Cradled by Gale Crater.jpg|Aeolis Mons rises from the middle of Gale - <span style="color:green;">Green dot</span> marks ''Curiosity's'' landing site in [[Aeolis Palus]]. Image:Mars Science Laboratory landing ellipse reduced.jpg|Gale crater with ''Curiosity's'' landing area within [[Aeolis Palus]] noted - north is down. Image:Moundshigh.svg|Aeolis Mons may have formed from the erosion of sediment layers that once filled Gale. Image:PIA16064-Mars Curiosity Rover Treasure Map.jpg|''Curiosity's'' landing site (green dot) - blue dot marks ''[[Glenelg, Mars|Glenelg Intrigue]]'' - blue spot marks the base of Mount Sharp - a planned area of study. Image:Curiosity Rover Landing Site - Quadmapping Yellowknife.jpg|''Curiosity's'' landing site - "[[Quadrangle (geography)|Quad Map]]" includes "Yellowknife" ''Quad 51'' of [[Aeolis Palus]] in Gale. Image:Mars Curiosity Rover - Yellowknife Landing Site.jpg|''Curiosity's'' landing site - "Yellowknife" ''Quad 51'' (1-mi-by-1-mi) of [[Aeolis Palus]] in Gale. Image:PIA15696-HiRISE-MSL-Sol11 2 -br2.jpg|[[Mars Science Laboratory|MSL]] [[Space debris|debris field]] viewed by [[HiRISE]] on August 17, 2012 - parachute is {{convert|615|m|ft|abbr=on}} from ''Curiosity''.<ref>[http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4299 Mars Science Laboratory: Multimedia-Images]</ref> (3-D: [https://web.archive.org/web/20130512005245/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/Rover3D-pia16208-br2.jpg rover] & [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012939/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/Parachute3D-pia16209-br2.jpg parachute]) Image:PIA16800-MarsCuriosityRover-MtSharp-ColorVersions-20120823.jpg|Comparison of [[Color balance|color versions (raw, natural, white balance)]] of Aeolis Mons (August 23, 2012). Image:PIA16068 - Mars Curiosity Rover - Aeolis Mons - 20120817.jpg|Aeolis Mons as viewed by ''Curiosity'' (August 8, 2012) ([[Color balance|white balanced image]]). Image:PIA16105 malin04ano-br2.jpg|Layers at the base of Aeolis Mons - dark rock in inset is same size as ''Curiosity'' ([[Color balance|white balanced image]]). Image:PIA16134-Mars Curiosity Rover Wheels.jpg|''Curiosity's'' [[Curiosity rover#Specifications|wheels]] - Aeolis Mons is in the background ([[Curiosity rover#Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI)|MAHLI]], September 9, 2012). Image:PIA17085-MarsCuriosityRover-TraverseMap-Sol351-20130801.jpg|First-Year and First-Mile [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ Traverse Map] of the ''Curiosity'' rover on Mars (August 1, 2013) ([http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16210.jpg 3-D]). </gallery> {{multiple images |header''Curiosity'' at Mount Sharp |align=center | caption_align=center |direction=horizontal |width=400 |image1=PIA19114-MarsCuriosityRover-PahrumpHills-20141213.jpg |caption1=''Curiosity'' (in rectangle) in the ''Pahrump Hills'' of Mount Sharp – as viewed from space ([[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter|MRO]]; [[HiRISE]]; December 13, 2014). |width1= |image2=PIA21710-MarsCuriosityRoverOnMountSharp-MRO-20170605.jpg |caption2=''Curiosity'' rover (center bright blue) on Mount Sharp viewed from orbit ([[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter|MRO]]; [[HiRISE]]; June 5, 2017).<ref name="NASA-20170622">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=High Above Mars, a NASA Orbiter Spies the Curiosity Rover |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/science/mars-curiosity-reconnaissance-orbiter.html |date=June 22, 2017 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=June 23, 2017 }}</ref> |width2= |footer= }} {{wide image|PIA16918-MarsCuriosityRover-RockNest-HiRezWB-20121116.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view of the "[[Rocknest (Mars)|Rocknest]]" area – South is center/North at both ends; "Mount Sharp" at SE horizon (somewhat left-of-center); "[[Glenelg, Mars|Glenelg]]" at East (left-of-center); rover tracks at West (right-of-center) (November 16, 2012; [[Color balance|white balanced]]) ([http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16919 raw color]) ([http://mars.nasa.gov/multimedia/interactives/billionpixel/ interactives]).}} {{wide image|PIA18473-MarsCuriosityRover-AeolisMons-AmargosaValley-20140911.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view of "Amargosa Valley" on the slopes of "Mount Sharp" (September 11, 2014; [[Color balance|white balanced image]]).}} {{wide image|PIA19803-MarsCuriosityRover-AeolisMons-20150411.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} southward-looking view on the slopes of "Mount Sharp" (April 11, 2015).<ref name="NASA-20150808-pdf">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=PIA19803 - Image Annotations - Curiosity rover - Mars Science Laboratory - NASA's Journey to Mars |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/files/mep/CuriosityPoster.pdf |date=August 5, 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=August 8, 2015 }}</ref>}} {{wide image|PIA19662-MarsCuriosityRover-LoganPassArea-20150510-crop.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|''Curiosity''{{'s}} view near "Logan Pass" on the slopes of "Mount Sharp" (May 10, 2015; [[Color balance|white balanced image]]).}} {{Clear}} {{collapsebottom}}

== See also ==

* {{annotated link|Aeolis quadrangle#Gale Crater}} * {{annotated link|Composition of Mars}} * {{annotated link|Geology of Mars}} * {{annotated link|List of craters on Mars}} * {{annotated link|List of mountains on Mars}} * {{annotated link|List of rocks on Mars}} * {{annotated link|List of tallest mountains in the Solar System}}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== *Jürgen Blunck – ''Mars and its Satellites, A Detailed Commentary on the Nomenclature'', 2nd edition. 1982.

==External links== {{Commons category|Aeolis Mons}} {{Wiktionary|Aeolis Mons}} * [http://www.google.com/mars/#lat=-5.08&lon=137.85 Google Mars scrollable map] – centered on Aeolis Mons. * [http://www.360pano.eu/show/?id=731 Aeolis Mons – ''Curiosity'' Rover "StreetView" (Sol 2 – 08/08/2012) – NASA/JPL – 360° Panorama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819155927/http://www.360pano.eu/show/?id=731 |date=August 19, 2012 }} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrxvbRA2xCI Aeolis Mons – ''Curiosity'' Rover Mission Summary – Video (02:37)] * [http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_002464_1745 Aeolis Mons – HiRise] (South side of mountain) * [http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/images/2012/details/cut/mt-sharp-oblique.jpg Aeolis Mons – "Mount Sharp" Oblique (19,663px × 1,452px)] * [http://jmars.mars.asu.edu/maps/gale/gale.html Aeolis Mons – Gale crater – Image/THEMIS VIS 18m/px Mosaic] (Zoomable) ([http://themis.asu.edu/files/gale_mosaic_1000.png small]) * [http://hrscview.fu-berlin.de/cgi-bin/ion-p?ION__E1=UPDATE%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&ION__E2=control%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&image=7242_0000&image1=4+images&pos=4.915S%2C+137.328E&scale=100&viewport=800x1536&basemap_on=on&basemap=MOLAshaded&labels_on=on&hrsc_on=on&mode=mars&pansharpen=on&src_on=on&pview=North&exag=1&UPDATE=Update+view&image0=7242_0000&code=018791106 Aeolis Mons – Gale crater – image/HRSCview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807090039/http://hrscview.fu-berlin.de/cgi-bin/ion-p?ION__E1=UPDATE%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&ION__E2=control%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&image=7242_0000&image1=4+images&pos=4.915S%2C+137.328E&scale=100&viewport=800x1536&basemap_on=on&basemap=MOLAshaded&labels_on=on&hrsc_on=on&mode=mars&pansharpen=on&src_on=on&pview=North&exag=1&UPDATE=Update+view&image0=7242_0000&code=018791106 |date=August 7, 2017 }} * [http://hrscview.fu-berlin.de/cgi-bin/ion-p?ION__E1=UPDATE%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&ION__E2=control%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&image=7242_0000&image1=4+images&pos=5.355S%2C+137.758E&scale=50&viewport=2000x2000&basemap_on=on&basemap=MOLAelevation&hrsc_on=on&mode=height&pansharpen=on&src_on=on&persp=on&pview=East&exag=1&UPDATE=Update+view&image0=7242_0000&code=84331089 Aeolis Mons – HRSCview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805084224/http://hrscview.fu-berlin.de/cgi-bin/ion-p?ION__E1=UPDATE%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&ION__E2=control%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&image=7242_0000&image1=4+images&pos=5.355S%2C+137.758E&scale=50&viewport=2000x2000&basemap_on=on&basemap=MOLAelevation&hrsc_on=on&mode=height&pansharpen=on&src_on=on&persp=on&pview=East&exag=1&UPDATE=Update+view&image0=7242_0000&code=84331089 |date=August 5, 2016 }} (oblique view looking east) * [http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16077.jpg Aeolis Mons – 7,703px × 2,253px black & white panorama] * [http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/08231555-curiosity-color-panorama-bouic.html Aeolis Mons – Color Panorama by Damien Bouic] * Images – [http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16105.jpg PIA16105] [http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16104.jpg PIA16104] [https://twitter.com/_TheSeaning/status/846082637164892163/photo/1 Color view] * High-resolution overflight videos: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandoran/32458025942/ #1]; [https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandoran/31638170194/ #2]; [https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandoran/32446821606/ #3]; [https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandoran/43142824942/ #4] (based on [[HiRISE]] data) of the lower slopes of Mt. Sharp by Seán Doran (see [https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandoran/albums/72157677941945560 album] for more) * {{YouTube|Jr1Xu2i-Uc0|Video (04:32) – Evidence: Water "Vigorously" Flowed On Mars (September 2012)}} * {{YouTube|xq65TVKDZXs|Video (66:00) – Gale Crater History (May 26, 2015)}} * {{YouTube|Q-uAz82sH-E|Video (02:54) – Gale Crater Guide (August 2, 2017)}}

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[[Category:Aeolis quadrangle]] [[Category:Mountains on Mars]] [[Category:Gale (crater)]] [[Category:Mars Science Laboratory]]