But for mission operations manager Michael Watkins, the most powerful image was among the simplest: the shadow of Curiosity looming over the Martiansoil.
We can now add soil composition to the list, as Curiosity became Earth's first visitor to the Red Planet to both gather and analyze Martiansoil on its own.
Using X-ray diffraction will not only tell scientists what kinds of minerals are present in Martiansoil, it will also provide clues to what conditions existed on Mars when those crystals formed.
Walking into the former Apollo testing facility, you'll almost certainly catch glimpses of martian rovers, soil samples and an assortment of scientific testing devices.