Mars spacecraft prepare to observe comet flyby
Posted: Tue, Oct 14, 2014, 9:41 AM ET (1341 GMT)
An international fleet of spacecraft orbiting and on the surface of Mars are planning to observe a comet as it makes a close flyby of Mars this coming Sunday. Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring will pass less than 140,000 kilometers from Mars on October 19, with its closest approach at 2:27 pm EDT (1827 GMT). Several NASA spacecraft orbiting Mars, as well as the Curiosity and Opportunity rovers, plan to make observations of the comet as it flies by Mars, although the orbiters will be positioned on the opposite side of Mars from the comet at closest approach to minimize the risk of damage from cometary dust. ESA's Mars Express and India's Mars Orbiter Mission, two other spacecraft orbiting Mars, also plan to observe the comet during its flyby. Siding Spring is the first comet coming in directly from the distant Oort Cloud to be observed up close by spacecraft. Other spacecraft orbiting the Earth, and groundbased telescopes, plan to observe the comet.
An international fleet of spacecraft orbiting and on the surface of Mars are planning to observe a comet as it makes a close flyby of Mars this coming Sunday. Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring will pass less than 140,000 kilometers from Mars on October 19, with its closest approach at 2:27 pm EDT (1827 GMT). Several NASA spacecraft orbiting Mars, as well as the Curiosity and Opportunity rovers, plan to make observations of the comet as it flies by Mars, although the orbiters will be positioned on the opposite side of Mars from the comet at closest approach to minimize the risk of damage from cometary dust. ESA's Mars Express and India's Mars Orbiter Mission, two other spacecraft orbiting Mars, also plan to observe the comet during its flyby. Siding Spring is the first comet coming in directly from the distant Oort Cloud to be observed up close by spacecraft. Other spacecraft orbiting the Earth, and groundbased telescopes, plan to observe the comet.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 23
DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition
Hollywood Reporter — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV Ditches Dish Deal
Variety — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV calling off Dish Network takeover after bondholders balk
Los Angeles Times — 2:15 am ET (0715 GMT) DirecTV terminates Dish deal over failed debt swap
Reuters — 2:14 am ET (0714 GMT) DirecTV announces termination of deal to buy Dish satellite business
Ars Technica — 2:13 am ET (0713 GMT) |
