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2012: The year in space

News imageAFP/Getty Images A seagull captured in shadow as the planet Venus crossed in front of the Sun in June. The next transit of Venus isn’t expected until December 2117. (Copyright: AFP/Getty Images)AFP/Getty Images
A seagull captured in shadow as the planet Venus crossed in front of the Sun in June. The next transit of Venus isn’t expected until December 2117. (Copyright: AFP/Getty Images)

A collection of some of the year's best space images, from Curiosity Rover's mission to Mars to the swansong for a space exploration legend.

More amazing image galleries of the year:

The year in technology

A year of discovery

People of the year

The year in weather

The year in wildlife

Weird and wonderful

Future visions

Places

New frontiers

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