NASA's Curiosity Rover has been on the surface of Mars since 2012. The car-sized robot was only intended to be on a mission on the red planet for two years; however after successfully accomplishing most of its initial goals it has been commissioned to stay on Mars' surface indefinitely.
Since its launch, the rover has captured the hearts and mind of both scientists and civilians alike. In fact, the first footage from the robot upon landing on fourth planet crashed NASA's official website because of the overwhelming number of people trying to catch a glimpse never seen before.
More recently, the space agency has released a 360 degree video of the surface of Mars taken by compositing images taken by the Mars Curiosity Rover.
"Use your smart phone to explore Mars with me in 360 degrees. #FromWhereIStand" read the NASA's Facebook update unveiling the 360 degree view video of Mars.
The virtual tour is of the Namib Dune with views of Mount Sharp in the background. The pictures were taken by Curiosity's Mast Camera on the robot's 1197th Martian day on the planet.
People from all of the world have chimed in on NASA's amazing feat. Many are at awe with the technological achievement of having to see the once strange and distant planet.
"Mars in my bedroom no way, if anyone told me id be looking at 360 deg view of Mars on my phone 10 years ago...u just wouldn't fathom the ease of it..this is pure awesomeness" exclaimed Robert Gow from New South Wales on NASA's facebook account.
Still some remain skeptical about the legitimacy of not only the 360 degree image but the mission itself. Despite the skepticism, NASA is deep in planning the follow-up mission to the 2012 Mars Curiosity - the Mars 2020 Rover. The 2020 Rover is expected to be launch in four years.
View the virtual tour here.
