Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory Sun, marking the first time a planetary transit has been observed from a celestial body besides Earth. On June 24, 2014, "Curiosity" completed a Martian year—687 Earth days—after finding that Mars once had environmental conditions favorable for microbial life. On June 27, 2014, "Curiosity" crossed the of its "" and is now in territory that may get even more interesting, especially in terms of Martian geology and landscape (). On July 12, 2014, "Curiosity" imaged the first laser spark on Mars (; video (01:07).) On August 6, 2014, "Curiosity" celebrated its second anniversary since landing on Mars in 2012. On
International Year of Planet Earth support from individuals and organisations worldwide. The Year's Project Leader was former IUGS President Professor Eduardo F J de Mulder. The Year's Science Committee was chaired by Professor Edward Derbyshire (Royal Holloway) and its Outreach Committee by Dr Ted Nield (Geological Society of London). The International Year of Planet Earth project was initiated jointly by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The UN press release reads: "By a draft on the International Year of Planet Earth, 2008, which the Committee approved without a vote on 11 November, the Assembly