NASA craft finds manmade crater in comet
PASADENA, Calif. - Scientists say they have seen evidence of a manmade crater in images of comet Tempel 1 taken during a Valentine's Day flyby.
The Stardust craft passed Monday night within 110 miles of the surface of Tempel 1, snapping 72 high-resolution images. The crater was created by another NASA craft that visited Tempel 1 in 2005. The high-speed collision kicked up so much dust that the Deep Impact craft could not see it then.
NASA got a second chance with Stardust when it flew near the Deep Impact site and peeked into the crater. It also captured new surface features.
Stardust's trip to Tempel 1 was a bonus. The original target for Stardust, launched in 1999, was comet Wild 2, where it collected dust samples that were jettisoned to Earth. Scientists hope the samples will shed light on these icy solar system bodies.
The craft passed within 112 miles of the potato-shaped comet Tempel 1, closer than the original prediction. - AP
Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
