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Mars Orbiter Spies Comet ISON

Posted by samzenpus on 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."

4 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Now all we need... by Sockatume · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, a sequel to Armageddon then.

    --
    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  2. When did by skovnymfe · · 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 Sockatume · · 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?
  3. This shit is WAY out of hand! by Anonymous Coward · · 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.