Gale Crater is a large impact crater located on the surface of Mars. It is approximately 154 kilometers (96 miles) in diameter and is believed to have formed around 3.5 billion years ago. The crater features a central mountain called Mount Sharp, which rises about 5.5 kilometers (18,000 feet) high and is composed of layered sedimentary rocks. The Curiosity rover, part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, landed in Gale Crater in August 2012. Its primary goal is to explore the crater's geology and search for signs of past life. The diverse terrain and rich geological history make Gale Crater a key site for understanding Mars' past environment.