Mars Orbiter Spies Comet ISON

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Mars Orbiter Spies Comet ISON

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday October 2, 2013 @09:25PM from the let's-have-a-look dept.

astroengine writes "Scientists managing the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have released their first observations of the incoming Comet ISON. The MRO was commanded to turn away its perpetual Mars-ward gaze and point into deep space to capture its own snapshot of the famous comet. ISON is currently making its closest approach to the red planet, passing just 7 million miles from its surface. The first raw images were snapped on Sept. 29 when the object was 8 million miles from the planet and more images (taken on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2) are currently being processed."

23 of 41 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Now all we need... by swamp_ig · 2013-10-02 21:53 · Score: 1

Is a series of sequel movies to deep impact -- featuring Mars!
All the graphics, none of the emotional impact.
1. Re:Now all we need... by Sockatume · 2013-10-02 22:03 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  So, a sequel to Armageddon then.
  
  --
  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
2. Re:Now all we need... by arielCo · 2013-10-03 00:58 · Score: 1
  
  [Cue unoriginal, long-drawn Aerosmith "power" ballad]
  
  --
  This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
When did by skovnymfe · 2013-10-02 22:20 · Score: 4, Funny

When did miles become a valid unit of distance in astronomy? Haven't we all agreed on a standard unit of measurement for all things science, such as the meter, by now?
1. Re:When did by Zorpheus · 2013-10-02 22:56 · Score: 2
  
  At least they did not convert 11 million kilometers to 6,835,080 miles
2. Re:When did by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-02 23:06 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, didn't you read the heading ? It says 'Spies', the regional prominence. Deal with it.
3. Re:When did by Sockatume · 2013-10-03 00:04 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  It's a lot easier to picture 8 million miles than 13 million kilometres.
  
  --
  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
4. Re:When did by cusco · 2013-10-03 00:58 · Score: 2
  
  Better than if they had used 'football fields', I suppose.
  
  --
  "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
5. Re:When did by stewsters · 2013-10-03 00:59 · Score: 1
  
  NASA is 97% furlowed. They probably got rid of their conversion guy. Your lucky you didn't get that in rubber duckies.
6. Re:When did by arielCo · 2013-10-03 01:05 · Score: 1
  
  I believe the proper unit in this case is either earth-moon distances (33.3), or NYC-LA straight lines (3,265)
  
  --
  This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
7. Re:When did by rossdee · 2013-10-03 01:08 · Score: 2
  
  Metres are a bit small for measuring astronomical distances. For things inside the solar system the Astronomical Unit (AU) is used, (Its the average distance from the earth to the sun, (For americans, 93 million miles)
The actual actual site by MRe_nl · 2013-10-02 22:28 · Score: 1

http://www.nasa.gov/

--
"Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
Miles? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-02 23:32 · Score: 3, Interesting

Can we make a rule that says non-metric units are completely banned from Slashdot? I'm from Omaha, but I use Metric because I care about science and math. This site is supposed to be for people like me, not people that are holding the United States back and putting as at manufacturing and STEM disadvantages relative to every other country on Earth by insisting on using inferior and obsolete forms of measurement.
1. Re:Miles? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-02 23:41 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Being from Nebraska I would figure you were still using furlongs...
2. Re:Miles? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-02 23:57 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  FUCK YOU. Get over your self and your metricssssssss. The metric system is all but a memory for me and my comrades. Soon you bow to the assume power that is the Imperialist System. I can imagine a world free from the interference of the ten base system. US students don't need help going over to hex because they already us 12 base systems. This why we build the fastest computers by miles not kilometers. Because every other country is like oh, johnny can't figure out how many inches to a furlong. Here in this great country Johnny wouldn't get a science degree because he'd flunk out. Also, don't get me started on the shit that is metric bolts. Bolts on size abort using the same thread pitch??? that's just asking for trouble, oh it's caused deaths before and will continue to.
3. Re:Miles? by dbIII · 2013-10-03 00:04 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  He only comes from Nebraska. He works in outer space.
NSA knows no limits by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-03 00:01 · Score: 1

Please stop all this spy thing.
Re:blog spam by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-03 00:23 · Score: 1

"Why does the article first link to the discovery blog spam instead of the actual site?"
Because the NASA site is being held hostage by the anti-science Republicans.
It's not me. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-03 00:23 · Score: 1

One of the members of my astronomy society caught it in a 21" reflector yesterday morning. He said that it looked to be about 12th magnitude. Since it is an early morning object my ability to drag out my gear and see it is limited to the weekends and this weekend the weather looks bad for it. Hopefully soon.
ObamaCare units by nanospook · 2013-10-03 00:45 · Score: 1

I converted the distance to ObamaCare units and you know can either pay 64 million a year or be penalized at a cost of 4 light sabers. Long live the Empire!

--
Have you fscked your local propeller head today?
This shit is WAY out of hand! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-03 00:49 · Score: 4, Funny

The Mars Orbiter is spying on Comet ISON? WTF? There isn't any privacy even in outer space?
Someone needs to rein in the NSA now. You didn't fool anybody by slipping that extra "A" in your name. N(A)SA: lame attempt at hiding there.
Will it hit Mars? by Squidlips · 2013-10-03 01:22 · Score: 1

When ISON orbit was first calculated, it was thought that it could hit Mars. I guess that is no longer the case, eh?
1. Re:Will it hit Mars? by Mad+Bad+Rabbit · 2013-10-03 01:52 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  That's comet Siding Spring not ISON.
  Also, they've collected more data that shows it'll miss Mars by at least 66,000 km.
  
  --
  >;k