“The scientists behind NASA's $2.5 billion Curiosity rover mission on Mars on Tuesday explained the nature of a tiny, gleaming "flower" embedded in Red Planet rock, and revealed where they'll be using the SUV-sized robot's drill for the first time”. – Alan Boyle via NBCNews.com

Photo: Scientists say that a “Martian flower”, seen here in an image from the Curiosity rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager, is a 2-millimeter-wide grain or pebble that's embedded in the surrounding rock. Another, darker-colored mineral grain can be seen above and to the left. (Photo by NASA)

Using body paint and a woodland like location, Gesine appears to have created a model to look just like a red panda, Dortmund, Germany, October, 2016. An artist brings animals to life using body paint and contorted models. At first glance, these images could be mistaken for portraits of wildlife in their natural habitat were created with paper and paint. However, they are actually the incredible works of illusion by talented body painter Gesine Marwedel, who paints models to creates realistic animals. (Photo by Gesine Marwedel/Barcroft Images)

These stunning images have captured UFO type clouds forming around world famous volcano. The Kamchatka peninsula contains the volcanoes of Kamchatka, which have been captured in a series of stunning shots by photographer Vladimir Voychuk, 37, from Klin, Russia. It is said that Kamchatka is one of the most picturesque distant corners of huge Russia and attracts hundreds of photographers with its unique nature. Here: The stunning Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. (Photo by Vladimir Voychuk/Caters News)

These images offer a rare glimpse of life within remote Brazilian tribes. Award winning photographer Ricardo, 47, said: “The pictures show the traditional way of life of these people who live in harmony with nature. The photos provide an overview of the contemporary situation of the indigenous people in Brazil”. Here: Bej indian in the Xingu river, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil on December 20, 2015 .(Photo by Ricardo Stuckert/Caters News Agency)

“The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Bushmills. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a National Nature Reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland”. – Wikipedia

Photo: Visitors walk on the Giant's Causway on March 14, 2012 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

A supercell that spawned a tornado earlier makes it was east north of McLean, Texas on April 16, 2015 in Texas, United States. Huge hail, terrifying lighting and giant supercells the size of buildings – these incredible images depict a year in the life of a storm chaser. Shot in 2015 by photographer Mike Olbinski, 40, this series of pictures show both the beautiful and the extreme nature of weather in the United States. (Photo by Mike Olbinski/Barcroft Media)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and these striking images of 2017 are no exception. The photo highlights include incredible snapshots of the natural world as well as some awesome animal and human encounters. The vibrant gallery also shows thrill-seekers pushing themselves to the limit with breathtaking stunts captured in perfect clarity. The pictures have been taken by a host of photographers from around the world. Here: The two lion cubs singing their hearts out at Antelope park in Zimbabwe. (Photo by David Jenkins/Caters News Agency)