Previously called Mount Sharp, Aeolis Mons is a 3-mile high mountain in the center of Mars's huge Gale Crater where the NASA Curiosity rover landed on August 6, 2012. The mountain was captured by the rover's front Hazard-Avoidance cameras (Hazcams) shortly after its spectacular landing on the surface of the Red Planet. Although the mountain's exact origin is not known, it is thought to be formed as a result of sediment layers laid down over time that then partially eroded away. Aeolis Mons is taller than any of the mountains in the lower 48 states of the U.S.

The floor plain inside the crater between the northern wall of Gale Crater and the northern foothills of Aeolis Mons is called Aeolis Palus. The NASA Mars rover Curiosity will conduct comprehensive exploration of Gale Crater and Aeolis Mons for up to two years.