Photo Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

As NASA's Curiosity rover descended to the surface of Mars on Sunday, August 5th, the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped some amazing images of its progress. In the image above, you can see the rover approaching the surface with its parachute fully deployed, an astonishing feat of ingenuity and engineering that helped slow the rover from a speed of 13,200 miles per hour on atmospheric entry to a gentle, cable-cradled landing.

   Curiosity has arrived! (Artist depiction).                                                                      

The Curiosity descent image was captured approximately one minute before landing, providing science and technology fans with a gratifying front-row seat at this historic event in human history.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech