Mars rover sends back first 360-degree color view

PASADENA, Calif. -- The Curiosity rover has returned another postcard from Mars -- the first 360-degree color view from Gale Crater.

Since landing Sunday night, NASA's six-wheel rover has been sending home a trickle of pictures, beginning with grainy, black-and-white photos. It also beamed back a low-quality video showing the last few minutes of its descent to the surface.

It recently raised its mast containing high-resolution and navigation cameras that have given scientists a better view of the landing site.

Curiosity is on a two-year mission to study whether Gale ever had conditions favorable for microbial life.