NASA's recent press release gives an update on Mars Rover Curiosity's travels and activities. The rover drilled at the base of Mount Sharp from a site called "Telegraph Peak" on Tuesday February 24, 2015. The sample powder collected is to be used as part of Curiosity's extended mission to examine layers of the mountain which is expected to indicate "how ancient wet environments on Mars evolved into drier environments". This is the third drill site in the area as part of the "Pahrump Hills campaign". The hole (seen left) has a diameter slightly smaller than a U.S. dime.

The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), designed by Professor Ralf Gellert, was used to measure the chemistry of the Telegraph Peak site.