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Kris Ritter
paradoxical embolism
Join date: 31 Oct 2003
Posts: 6,627
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07-04-2005 05:34
Now thats some 4th of July fireworks show   "At around ten-to-seven this morning (BST) the NASA space probe Deep Impact lived up to its name and smashed into the Comet Tempel-1. The impact sent up a cloud of dust and gas far bigger than anyone had expected, making the comet, briefly, almost 11-times brighter than it was previously.
Deep Impact is a two-spacecraft mission designed to smash a 360kg probe into the nucleus of a comet, giving scientists their first ever glimpse of what lies below the surface layer of the nucleus.
Footage of the approach of the impactor showed the on-board cameras being buffeted by dust and debris from the comet, and the optics being gradually sandblasted down. A NASA spokesman commented: "Our brave little spacecraft is in a very hostile environment".
As the craft got closer to the nucleus, although the image remained quite grey and fuzzy, it was possible to make out craters on the surface of the 14km by 4km rock. NASA was aiming to hit the comet within one kilometre of its centre of mass, and when the impactor hit on target, the scientists at NASA mission control were jumping up and down, cheering, as you might expect."NASA - Bulls Eye! time lapse anim from the impactor |
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Jillian Callahan
Rotary-winged Neko Girl
Join date: 24 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,766
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07-04-2005 05:36
Holy cow. Nice shot!
(Is it any wonder no one plays golf against those people?)
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Cid Jacobs
Theoretical Meteorologist
Join date: 18 Jul 2004
Posts: 4,304
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07-04-2005 05:36
Well.. they are good at crashing things  |
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Jeffrey Gomez
Cubed™
Join date: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,522
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07-04-2005 07:07
From: Jillian Callahan (Is it any wonder no one plays golf against those people?) When they break out a 9-iron and a protractor, chances are you're in for a rough day. I assume they planned to have this coincide with July 4th?
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Cid Jacobs
Theoretical Meteorologist
Join date: 18 Jul 2004
Posts: 4,304
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07-04-2005 07:11
From: Jeffrey Gomez I assume they planned to have this coincide with July 4th? Thats their story, and they are sticking with it |
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Kris Ritter
paradoxical embolism
Join date: 31 Oct 2003
Posts: 6,627
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07-04-2005 07:13
From: Jeffrey Gomez I assume they planned to have this coincide with July 4th?
"The spectacular fireworks in space came as Americans celebrated Independence Day on the fourth of July. NASA's Rick Grammier says no message was intended.
"That being said, I obviously hope that it's made America proud to see that we overcame a lot of challenges," said Mr. Grammier. " A lot of people said we couldn't do this or wouldn't be able to pull it off." |