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● TRACKER Updated 5d ago · 23 sources tracked

These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils photo of the day for June 18, 2026

NASA's Curiosity rover found a vast expanse of polygon-shaped fractures in a valley called Valle Grande. The rover captured a 360-degree panorama on June 19 and 20, 2026, by stitching together 340 snapshots. These honeycomb features are only a few inches wide and cover a plain that extends to the limit of the rover's Mast Camera. Some patterns wrap around a 20-foot-tall butte. This discovery provides further evidence that lakes and streams once existed in the foothills of Mount Sharp billions of years ago.

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What changed

The Curiosity rover identified a large field of polygonal fractures in Valle Grande.

Live updates

  1. Curiosity Rover discovers extensive honeycomb patterns in Martian valley

    NASA's Curiosity rover found a vast expanse of polygon-shaped fractures in a valley called Valle Grande. The rover captured a 360-degree panorama on June 19 and 20, 2026, by stitching together 340 snapshots. These honeycomb features are only a few inches wide and cover a plain that extends to the limit of the rover's Mast Camera. Some patterns wrap around a 20-foot-tall butte. This discovery provides further evidence that lakes and streams once existed in the foothills of Mount Sharp billions of years ago.

    Why it matters

    Curiosity has spent over a decade climbing Mount Sharp, a 5-kilometer-tall mountain in the Gale Crater. Scientists use these geological formations to study the planet's watery past. The scale of these polygonal fractures is unprecedented for the mission.

    What is confirmed

    • Curiosity captured a 360-degree panorama of Valle Grande on June 19 and 20.
    • The panorama consists of 340 individual snapshots.
    • The honeycomb patterns are a few inches wide.
    • The features wrap around a 20-foot-tall butte.
    • Mount Sharp is 3 miles or 5 kilometers tall.

    What to watch next

    • Analysis of the polygonal fractures to determine their exact mineral composition
    • Further exploration of the Valle Grande valley floor
    Sources used for this update (3)
    1. ny1.com — Hochul enacts first statewide data center moratorium
    2. gizmodo.com — NASA’s Curiosity Rover Finds a Vast Sea of Strange Honeycomb Patterns on Mars
    3. www.sciencedaily.com — NASA’s Curiosity rover finds a mysterious honeycomb landscape on Mars
    confidence 100%

  2. Mars Express Captures Dust Devils in Mamers Valles

    The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter photographed more than 30 dust devils in the Mamers Valles valley system. These whirlwinds form when solar heating causes surface air to swirl upward. Mars' lower gravity allows these features to grow larger than those on Earth.

    What's confirmed:

    • The European Space Agency's Mars Express captured images of dust devils in the Mamers Valles valley system.
    • Dust devils form when the Sun warms parts of the Martian surface, causing air to swirl upward and carry dust.
    • Mars has 38% of the gravity of Earth.
    • The lower gravity on Mars allows dust devils to grow larger than those on Earth.
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. NASA
    2. Mars Express captures dozens of dust devils in Mars valley
    3. Mars Express Captures Dozens of Dust Devils in Mars Valley
    4. Mars Express Captures Dozens of Dust Devils in Mars Valley
    5. Mars Express Captures Dozens of Dust Devils in Mars Valley
    6. Current Mars Temperature & Weather Report
    7. Earth Observatory - NASA Science
    8. These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils | Space photo of the day ...
    confidence 100%

  3. Mars Express captures over 30 dust devils in Mamers Valles

    The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter photographed more than 30 active dust devils. These whirlwinds are moving through Mamers Valles, a vast valley system in the northern hemisphere. The images provide data on the climate and geology of the Red Planet.

    What's confirmed:

    • The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter imaged the Mamers Valles valley system.
    • More than 30 active dust devils were captured in the images.
    • Mamers Valles is located in the northern hemisphere of Mars.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The dust devils reach heights of 8 km.
    • The Mamers Valles canyon system formed billions of years ago.
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils photo of the day for June ...
    2. Mars Express Captures Giant Tornadoes Twisting Through Ancient Valleys
    3. More than 30 giant dust devils spotted twisting through ancient Martian ...
    4. Mars's Mamers Valles With Over 30 Dust Devils Hidden In Plain Sight
    5. These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils | Space photo of the day ...
    6. These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils | Space photo of the day ...
    7. ESA's Mars Express unveils towering 8‑km dust devils twisting through ...
    8. See it: Dozens of active dust devils caught on camera swirling on Mars surface
    9. These are the 15 best early Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself
    confidence 100%

  4. Mars Orbiter Captures Dust Devils in Canyon System

    A Mars orbiter photographed active dust devils swirling across a canyon system on the Red Planet. Reports indicate dozens of these phenomena appeared in a single shot.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Mars orbiter captured active dust devils swirling across a canyon system.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • There are 30 dust devils in the Mars valleys.
    • There are 34 dust devils in one shot.
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. These Mars valleys are hiding 30 dust devils photo of the day for June 18, 2026
    2. Dozens of dust devils hidden in plain sight
    3. Dozens of active dust devils caught swirling across Mars canyon system
    4. Mars Orbiter Captures Active 'Dust Devils' Swirling Across Red Planet's Canyon System
    5. 34 dust devils on Mars in 1 shot! Can you spot them all?
    confidence 80%