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Mars rover selfies turned into stunning self-portrait

/ CBS/AP

NASA gears up for Mars 2020 mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has transformed selfies taken by its Mars rover Curiosity into a stunning self-portrait. Released this week, the photo shows Curiosity in the middle of the dusty, red Martian terrain, with Mount Sharp in the background. The rim of Gale Crater is also visible.

This composite image made from a series of Jan. 23, 2018 photos shows a self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover on Vera Rubin Ridge. The rover's arm which held the camera was positioned out of each of the dozens of shots which make up the mosaic. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS via AP

A small, self-focusing camera on the end of Curiosity's arm took the selfies. Dozens of pictures, all snapped Jan. 23, were used to create the mosaic.

Curiosity has been roaming Mars since 2012. Its next stop is the slope shown in the self-portrait, where it will probe what's believed to be clay-rich soil.

NASA is getting ready to put another lander on Mars, a robotic geologist named InSight. Liftoff is targeted for May from California.

In June, the space agency also debuted a Mars rover concept vehicle -- with six wheels and a distinctive alien design.

First published on February 5, 2018 / 7:26 AM EST

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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