Gale Crater (Enhanced Natural Colors; credits for the additional process. and color.: Dr Paolo C. Fienga - Lunexit Team)

NASA has selected Gale cCrater as the Landing Site for the Mars Science Laboratory Mission. The Rover will be placed on the ground in a Northern portion of the Crater in August 2012. This view of Gale is a mosaic of observations made in the Visible-Light portion of the Spectrum by the Thermal Emission Imaging System camera on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Gale crater is roughly 96 miles (about 154 Km) in diameter and holds a layered mountain rising about 3 miles (approx. 5 Km) above the Crater Floor. The ellipse superimposed in this image indicates the intended Landing Area, which is 12,4 miles (about 20 Km) by 15,5 miles (about 25 Km). The portion of the Crater within the Landing Area has an Alluvial Fan likely formed by water-carried sediments. The lower layers of the nearby mountain -- within driving distance for Curiosity -- contain minerals indicating a wet history.
The intended landing site is at 4,5° South Latitude and 137,4° East Longitude.

The Mars Science Laboratory Spacecraft is being prepared for launch during the period Nov. 25 to Dec. 18, 2011. In a prime mission lasting one Martian year -- nearly two Earth years -- after landing, researchers will use the Rover's tools to study whether the landing region has had environmental conditions favorable for supporting microbial life and for preserving clues about whether life existed.