Stellary Starry Universe

NASA began a historic voyage to Mars with the Nov. 26 launch of the Mars Science Laboratory.

The Atlantic Ocean provides a backdrop as the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket clears the tower at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Sealed inside the rocket’s protective payload fairing is NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, beginning a 9-month interplanetary cruise to Mars. Liftoff was at 10:02 a.m. EST Nov. 26. MSL’s components include a car-sized rover, Curiosity, which has 10 science instruments designed to search for signs of life, including methane, and help determine if the gas is from a biological or geological source. Image Credit: NASA/Darrell L. McCall

NASA's biggest and most capable Mars rover ever left Earth this morning in a picture perfect launch from the Kennedy Space Center. The new rover, named "Curiosity", is due to reach the Red Planet in August 2012.

Originally taken in July 2010, this photo shows NASA engineers installing six wheels on the Curiosity rover. NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Project will launch Curiosity on Friday, Nov. 26. Curiosity is scheduled for arrival at Mars in August 2012. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) show sand dunes and ripples moving across the surface of Mars at dozens of locations and shifting up to several yards.