The Olde Curiosity Shot

A new full-color self portrait was released this week, taken by the Curiosity rover&amp;#8217;s MAHLI imager, stitched together from several shots (hence the disembodiedness to it all). Standing so proud, so ready to science, so prepared to rock the rocks.

We&amp;#8217;re in a new era of science excitement. I can feel it. Because I know I&amp;#8217;m not the only one who smiles ear to ear when I look at these photos from another planet, seemingly sent with the ease that we Instagram our lunch, but full of a million times more promise than any sandwich.