Curiosity Sends Self-Portrait from Mars

Up on Mars, the rover Curiosity recently sent a self-portrait back to Earth. Perhaps for the benefit of its Facebook and twitter followers.

The self-portrait shows the clunky head of the rover, and a bit of its single robotic arm.

Dust on the lenses of the camera give the photo a distinct sepia tone. The picture was taken by one of the 17 cameras on the rover.

The camera, called the Mars Hand Lens Imager, or MAHLI is placed at the end of Curiosity’s robotic arm.

Of the other images taken by MAHLI is a series of photos Curiosity’s underbelly.

Image of Curiosity’s underbelly

This view of the lower front and underbelly areas of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity combines nine images taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) during the 34th day of Curiosity's work on Mars (Sept. 9, 2012). (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)

Curiosity Rover Report