SENSATION - Comet to buzz Mars in 2014

mickmackey1

Wowwwww!!

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Sky%20Events%20Now.html

emo72

FFS! are alien insects starting to lob pieces of rock from the asteroid belt already? they'll hit us eventually.

littlemac1980

Poor Curiosity, has anyone told it yet?

JupiterKid

With any luck Curiosity will be able to image this comet from the surface of Mars. That would be a spectacular sight ...well, if it's doesn't crash anywhere near it! :eek:

NASA and ESA are planning to use the Mars orbiters to image the comet as it flies past.

Capt'n Midnight

littlemac1980 wrote: »

Poor Curiosity, has anyone told it yet?

Why would they tell it

Mars rovers don't get told everything l http://xkcd.com/695/

Knifey Spoony

If it does hit, any idea of trying to terraform Mars would be completely out the window. All the dust that's thrown into the atmosphere may not settle for a good long while and may actually impede future exploration of the planet.

But still, it would make for some spectacular images if it does happen.

Capt'n Midnight

Knifey Spoony wrote: »

If it does hit, any idea of trying to terraform Mars would be completely out the window. All the dust that's thrown into the atmosphere may not settle for a good long while and may actually impede future exploration of the planet.

But still, it would make for some spectacular images if it does happen.

comet = water + energy (ie warmth)

the atmosphere of Mars in thin and there've been global dust storms before

it would be interesting , allright

Knifey Spoony

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

comet = water + energy (ie warmth)

the atmosphere of Mars in thin and there've been global dust storms before

it would be interesting , allright

Didn't think about the comet having a positive effect on Mars in long term, was really just thinking about us (humans) and the planet in the short term. Although, I really have no idea how long dust from the impact would hang around in the atmosphere, so maybe it won't be as bad in the short term as I initially thought or if it would even be a problem at all.

Rhys Essien

This is happening this evening.Live stream here,it begins at 7:15pm.

http://live.slooh.com/

Info on Comet Siding Spring here.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/2014_mars_comet_fly-by_live_stream_where_to_watch_siding_spring.html

Get the popcorn ready.:pac:

shedweller

Rhys Essien wrote: »

This is happening this evening.Live stream here,it begins at 7:15pm.

http://live.slooh.com/

Info on Comet Siding Spring here.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/2014_mars_comet_fly-by_live_stream_where_to_watch_siding_spring.html

Get the popcorn ready.:pac:

Looking at it now. I was going to link it.

shedweller

I think mars' apparent diameter from the comet will be about 7deg at its closest??