**update**  Curiosity landed successfully at 1:32am est this morning.  Everything went as planned and images were sent back not long after the landing.  Yes that is the surface of Mars and the part of one of the rover's wheels in the image to the right.  The craft will now undergo a couple of weeks of full testing to insure it landed without damage before heading off for it's planned two year exploration of the Gale Crater and Mt. Sharp.  In 2006 the Opportunity and Spirit rovers (much smaller) were landed on Mars with only tended short life spans.  But the Spirit operated until...


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