National Geographic has insipired and wowed its readers for years with its unique photography and cover designs. But some stand out and embed themselves in our collective conciousness more than others. Maybe it's the shot of Buzz Aldrin on the moon or the haunting eyes of an Afghan girl, but National Geographic covers are pieces of art in their own right. Here are 10 of the most iconic from the new book "National Geographic: The Covers."
Buzz Aldrin stands on the lunar surface.
A newly minted National Geographic photographer makes her own self-portrait.
Haunting eyes and a tattered garment tell the plight of a girl who fled her native Afghanistan for a refugee camp in Pakistan.
A lioness and her cub bask in the protection of the Serengeti, Africa’s premier wildlife haven.
A silverback mountain gorilla confronts life in a war zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Production Srv. Digital Imaging
Part of a portrait made up of 84 shots, taken as cameras rode a rope rigged by canopy ecologist Jim C. Spickler.
Heat-loving microorganisms add red and yellow hues to Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring.
Extreme climate shifts forged this ancient Bahamian cave as seas rose and fell. Extreme danger awaits divers who explore it.
To create this image of the splitting of the Titanic’s bow and stern, our artist drew upon a roundtable discussion among experts.
