2 Years on Mars: Curiosity's Best Photos From the Red Planet

 By 
Amanda Wills
 on 
2 Years on Mars: Curiosity's Best Photos From the Red Planet
NASA's Curiosity rover turns the camera on herself for one of her famous selfies. The rover celebrates two years on Mars Aug. 6, 2014. Credit: NASA/JPL

Two years ago, the world held its breath as NASA attempted one of its most daring missions of the 21st century -- landing a $2.5 billion, 1-ton rover on Mars.

After enduring the now-famous "seven minutes of terror," the world heard those fateful words: "touchdown confirmed." NASA's ambitious Curiosity rover had all four wheels safely on Mars.

But her journey had just begun. Since that white-knuckle-inducing landing, Curiosity has taught us more about Mars than we ever knew, and she has beamed back incredible images of the Red Planet. Here are some of our favorites.

Curiosity's first image from Mars | Aug. 6, 2012

Mashable Image
Credit:

First image of her "head" | Aug. 8, 2012

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Tracks from Curiosity's first drive | Aug. 22, 2012

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Credit:

First image of Mount Sharp, Curiosity's final destination | Aug. 23, 2012

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Hello, world. It's me, Curiosity | Nov. 1, 2012

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Panorama of "Rocknest," the first drill site | October and November 2012

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Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

First view of Mars at night | Jan. 22, 2013

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The Curiosity selfies

Oct. 31, 2012

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Credit: NASA/JPL

Feb. 7, 2013

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The second drill | May 16, 2013

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Credit: NASA/JPL

Earth from Mars | Feb. 7, 2014

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Credit: NASA JPL-CALTECH/MSSS/TAMU

A close-up of one of many drills | April 30, 2014

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Credit: NASA/JPL

Curiosity reaches Mount Sharp | Aug. 1, 2014

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Credit: NASA/JPL

Tracks in "Hidden Valley" | Aug. 4, 2014

Mashable Image
Credit: NASA/JPL

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