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
|
|
Sunday, January 18
Save NASA Science coalition issues statement following bipartisan passage of H.R. 6938 restoring near-full funding for NASA science
The Planetary Society — 6:22 pm ET (2322 GMT) Space Force Teams with Universities to Advance Sonic Boom Research in California
US Space Force — 6:18 pm ET (2318 GMT) NRO Launches Twelfth Proliferated Architecture Mission with NROL-105
NRO — 6:11 pm ET (2311 GMT) 50,000 clandestine Starlink terminals are keeping Iranians in touch with the rest of the world
Vox — 6:32 am ET (1132 GMT) President Marcos Jr. witnesses Globe and Starlink partnership launch for universal connectivity
Manila Standard — 6:31 am ET (1131 GMT) |
