New York, May 2 :

Don't miss this selfie from the red planet. NASA's rover Curiosity has started drilling on Mars for the third time and did not miss the opportunity to take its Martian self-portrait.

NASA Rover Selfie (source: NASA) NASA Rover Selfie (source: NASA)

The drill has begun at a geologically interesting location nicknamed "The Kimberley". 

In this selfie, Curiosity appears to be leaning its "head" -- a suite of instruments including the Chemcam and Mastcam cameras to the side -- capturing the 5 km high Aeolis Mons ('Mount Sharp') on the horizon. 

In coming days, the rover will conduct a preparatory "mini-drill" operation to check the area for readiness, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said in a statement. 

The hammering drill on Curiosity collects powdered sample material from rocks and then delivers portions to laboratory instruments onboard. 

The self portrait has been put together by Discovery News. 

(IANS)