Comet flyby created Martian meteor shower
Posted: Sun, Nov 9, 2014, 7:39 PM ET (0039 GMT)
The closely flyby of a comet to Mars last month created an "impressive" meteor shower in the planet's atmosphere, according to data from several spacecraft in the vicinity of the planet. Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring passed less than 140,000 kilometers of the Red Planet on Oct. 19, and dust from the comet impacted the Martian atmosphere. Scientists examining data from Martian orbiters, placed on the other side of the planet from the comet during the time of closest approach, said the dust created "significant temporary changes" to the planet's upper atmosphere, including a temporary, but strong, layer of ions in the Martian ionosphere. Images of the comet's nucleus taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft showed it to be less than two kilometers across, smaller than expected.
The closely flyby of a comet to Mars last month created an "impressive" meteor shower in the planet's atmosphere, according to data from several spacecraft in the vicinity of the planet. Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring passed less than 140,000 kilometers of the Red Planet on Oct. 19, and dust from the comet impacted the Martian atmosphere. Scientists examining data from Martian orbiters, placed on the other side of the planet from the comet during the time of closest approach, said the dust created "significant temporary changes" to the planet's upper atmosphere, including a temporary, but strong, layer of ions in the Martian ionosphere. Images of the comet's nucleus taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft showed it to be less than two kilometers across, smaller than expected.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 14
CSG Sets Sights on Space With Around $434 Million Stake in Canada’s MDA Space
Wall Street Journal — 6:30 am ET (1030 GMT) Czech defence company CSG buys 9.5% stake in MDA Space
Canadian Press — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Europe’s CSG Becomes Largest Shareholder of MDA Space
ViaSatellite — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Czech CSG Acquires 9.5% Stake In Canadarm Developer MDA
Aviation Week — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Student-built SCAMPI experiment launches to the International Space Station
ESA — 6:28 am ET (1028 GMT) |
