Image for Gale Crater

Gale Crater

Gale Crater is a large, bowl-shaped depression on Mars, about 154 kilometers wide, formed by a meteorite impact. It features layered rock formations that suggest a history of water activity, possibly including lakes and streams. The crater was chosen as the landing site for NASA’s Curiosity rover because these conditions may have supported microbial life in the past. Studying Gale Crater helps scientists understand the planet’s history, climate, and its potential to have supported life, making it a key location in Mars exploration.