NASA made it much easier to explore Mars this week when the agency released a video featuring a 360-degree view of the planet.
The video, stitched together from images taken by the Curiosity rover, offers views of the downwind face of the Namib Dune and a glimpse at Mount Sharp on Mars. The rover is about 23 feet from the bottom of the nearest dune, according to NASA, the mission’s examination of dunes along lower Mount Sharp is the first glimpse of active sand dunes anywhere other than on the Earth’s surface.
The images were taken on Dec. 18 using the rover’s Mast Camera, which takes color images used to make panorama views. The rover recently sent back a “selfie” to Earth and there is also a still version of the shot of the Namib Dune.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com