Gale is a crater on Mars near the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle. Gale is in diameter and holds a central peak, Aeolis Mons (previously informally named Mount Sharp to pay tribute to geologist Robert P. Sharp) rising higher from the crater floor than Mount Rainier rises above Seattle. Strong evidence suggests that Gale Crater once held a large lake. On 6 August 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory landed on Aeolis Palus near Aeolis Mons in Gale Crater.