Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) close approach to Mars in October 2014

[Carole]

Mars could be hit by a comet with the power of a billion megatons next year, astronomers claim.

Comet C/2013 A1 was discovered between Jupiter and Saturn in January by Robert McNaught at Australia's Siding Spring Observatory and was forecast to pass within 37,000km of Mars in October 2014.

But according to a new recalculation, the comet may hit our nearest planetary neighbour after all.

Researcher Leonid Elenin said there is now a slightly higher chance of the impact occurring.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/16297126/powerful-comet-could-hit-mars/

[mickw]

Doesn't matter

It will be cloudy when/if it happens anyway 

[Carole]

It sort of brings it home how vulnerable we are on our planet.  Imagine if this was the Earth in the firing line.

Carole

[Rocket Pooch]

If this is going to happen can you imagine the media coverage!

Old cheesy grin lefty boy will be all over tv.

Blimey

[Ivor]

It always raises an interesting question if it was going to hit earth would 18 months be enough time to do something about it?

Even more important is Bruce Willis or Flash Gordon available?

[MarkS]

Just suppose Mars was covered in tardigrades.  What would be the probability of a few of them reaching earth alive on a fragment of ejected material after such a collision?

What I mean is, could life have begun on Mars and transferred here by a similar process (though not necessarily complex life forms like tardigrades)?

[Mac]

It always raises an interesting question if it was going to hit earth would 18 months be enough time to do something about it?

Of course it is, You just have to leave the government out of it, otherwise they will take 18 months just to appoint a
steering comittee, just to look at the problem.

Mac.

[Tony G]

http://tinyurl.com/b673mwm

FLIS!!!! forget that special holiday that we was looking at for next year, I think it's Butlins again.

Tony G

[Rick]

Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) will make a very close approach to Mars in October 2014

On Oct. 19, 2014, Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) will pass extraordinarily close to Mars, almost certainly within 300,000 km of the planet and possibly much closer. Our current best estimate has it passing about 50,000 km from the surface of Mars. This is about 2.5 times the distance of Mars' outermost satellite Deimos or less than twice the Earth close approach distance of 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013. Since the observation span available for orbit determination is still relatively short, the current orbit is quite uncertain and the nominal close approach distance will change as additional observations are included in future orbit estimates. Currently, Mars lies directly within the range of possible paths for the comet and we can't exclude the possibility that the comet might impact Mars. Our current estimate for the impact probability is less than one in six hundred and we expect that future observations will allow us to completely rule out a Mars impact.

More: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news179.html

[Tony G]

Old cheesy grin lefty boy will be all over tv.

D-ream on.......................

Tony G

[MarkS]

Curiosity will need something more than a "safe mode" if that one hits!

[Rick]

NASA Preparing for 2014 Comet Watch at Mars

This spring, NASA will be paying cautious attention to a comet that could put on a barnstorming show at Mars on Oct. 19, 2014.

On that date, comet 2013 A1 Siding Spring will buzz Mars about 10 times closer than any identified comet has ever flown past Earth.

Spacecraft at Mars might get a good look at the nucleus of comet Siding Spring as it heads toward the closest approach, roughly 86,000 miles (138,000 kilometers) from the planet, give or take a few percent. On the other hand, dust particles that the comet nucleus sheds this spring could threaten orbiting spacecraft at Mars in October.

The level of risk won't be known for months, but NASA is already evaluating possible precautionary measures as it prepares for studying the comet.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-026

[Rick]

NASA Mars Spacecraft Prepare for Close Comet Flyby

NASA is taking steps to protect its Mars orbiters, while preserving opportunities to gather valuable scientific data, as Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring heads toward a close flyby of Mars on Oct. 19.

The comet's nucleus will miss Mars by about 82,000 miles (132,000 kilometers), shedding material hurtling at about 35 miles (56 kilometers) per second, relative to Mars and Mars-orbiting spacecraft. At that velocity, even the smallest particle -- estimated to be about one-fiftieth of an inch (half a millimeter) across -- could cause significant damage to a spacecraft.

NASA currently operates two Mars orbiters, with a third on its way and expected to arrive in Martian orbit just a month before the comet flyby. Teams operating the orbiters plan to have all spacecraft positioned on the opposite side of the Red Planet when the comet is most likely to pass by.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-244

[Rick]

NASA Prepares its Science Fleet for Oct. 19 Mars Comet Encounter

NASA's extensive fleet of science assets, particularly those orbiting and roving Mars, have front row seats to image and study a once-in-a-lifetime comet flyby on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Comet C/2013 A1, also known as comet Siding Spring, will pass within about 87,000 miles (139,500 kilometers) of the Red Planet -- less than half the distance between Earth and our moon and less than one-tenth the distance of any known comet flyby of Earth.

Siding Spring's nucleus will come closest to Mars around 11:27 a.m. PDT (2:27 p.m. EDT), hurtling at about 126,000 mph (56 kilometers per second). This proximity will provide an unprecedented opportunity for researchers to gather data on both the comet and its effect on the Martian atmosphere.

"This is a cosmic science gift that could potentially keep on giving, and the agency's diverse science missions will be in full receive mode," said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. "This particular comet has never before entered the inner solar system, so it will provide a fresh source of clues to our solar system's earliest days."

More: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1727

...and other reports: http://mars.nasa.gov/comets/sidingspring

[Rick]

CRISM Prepares For Mars-grazing Comet Siding Spring

On October 19, a comet that has travelled many billions of miles will come within about 87,000 miles of Mars - about one-third of the distance of the Moon from Earth. Comet Siding Spring comes from the Oort Cloud, material left over from the formation of the solar system. "This comet is coming into the solar system straight from the Oort Cloud. It's likely this is its first time this close to the sun," said space scientist David Humm, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland.

Oort Cloud material, including comets, is scattered through a vast region that begins outside the orbits of Neptune and Pluto and extends a substantial fraction of the distance to Proxima Centauri, the closest neighboring star. Oort Cloud comets can tell scientists about the materials - including water and carbon compounds - that existed during the formation of the solar system some 4.6 billion years ago.

Studying this close encounter will be the largest fleet of orbiting scientific observatories ever flown to another world, orbiting around (and rolling on the ground of) Mars. These instruments will, for the first time ever, have the chance to make close-up observations of a comet new to the inner solar system. And though it will not be the easiest task, the teams operating these instruments and spacecraft have developed plans to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

More: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1728

...and other reports: http://mars.nasa.gov/comets/sidingspring

[Rick]

...and closest approach should be in ten minutes or so, give or take...

[MarkS]

But too low in the sky for a decent image

[Rick]

I hope there'll be some interesting images from some of the spacecraft operating there...

[Rick]

Comet Siding Spring skims past Mars

A recently discovered comet has whizzed past Mars, giving scientists a unique chance to study an object from the farthest reaches of the Solar System.

The comet, known as Siding Spring, raced past Mars at 126,000mph (203,000 km/h), missing it by 139,500 km.

Rovers on the Martian surface and satellites were primed to catch the event on their cameras and instruments.

Siding Spring comes from the Oort Cloud - a spherical region of space far beyond the planets.

Researchers believe the comet is very little altered from the time of its formation more than 4.5 billion years ago.

"Siding Spring probably got knocked into the inner Solar System by the passage of a star near the Oort Cloud," says Carey Lisse, from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, US.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29665247

[Rick]

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Studies Comet Flyby

The orbiter continues operating in good health after sheltering behind Mars during the half hour when high-velocity dust particles from comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring had the most chance of reaching the paths of Mars orbiters. It maintained radio communications with Earth throughout the comet's closest approach, at 11:27 a.m. PDT (2:27 p.m. EDT), and the peak dust-risk period centered about 100 minutes later.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4344

MAVEN Studies Passing Comet and Its Effects

NASA's newest orbiter at Mars, MAVEN, took precautions to avoid harm from a dust-spewing comet that flew near Mars today and is studying the flyby's effects on the Red Planet's atmosphere.

The MAVEN spacecraft -- full name Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution -- reported back to Earth in good health after about three hours of precautions against a possible collision with high-velocity dust particles released by comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4345

Mars Odyssey Orbiter Watches Comet Fly Near

The longest-lived robot ever sent to Mars came through its latest challenge in good health, reporting home on schedule after sheltering behind Mars from possible comet dust.

NASA's Mars Odyssey was out of communications with Earth, as planned, while conducting observations of comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring on Sunday, Oct. 19, as the comet flew near Mars. The comet sped within about 88,000 miles (139,500 kilometers) of Mars, equivalent to about one-third of the distance between Earth and Earth's moon. Odyssey had performed a maneuver on Aug. 5 to adjust the timing of its orbit so that it would be shielded by Mars itself during the minutes, around 1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT) today, when computer modeling projected a slight risk from high-velocity dust particles in the comet's tail.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4346

[Rick]

Opportunity Views Comet Near Mars

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity captured images of a comet passing much closer to Mars than any previous known comet flyby of Earth or Mars. The images of comet Siding Spring were taken against a backdrop of the pre-dawn Martian sky on Sunday (Oct. 19).

mages of comet A1 Siding Spring from the rover's panoramic camera (Pancam) are online at:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA18591

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA18592

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA18617

Researchers used Opportunity's Pancam to image at a range of exposure times about two-and-one-half hours before the closest approach of the nucleus of comet Siding Spring to Mars. By the time of closest approach at about 87,000 miles (139,500 kilometers), dawn had lit the sky above Opportunity.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4348

Mars Orbiter Image Shows Comet Nucleus is Small

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured views of comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring while that visitor sped past Mars on Sunday (Oct. 19), yielding information about its nucleus.

The images are the highest-resolution views ever acquired of a comet coming from the Oort Cloud at the fringes of the solar system. Other spacecraft have approached and studied comets with shorter orbits. This comet's flyby of Mars provided spacecraft at the Red Planet an opportunity to investigate from close range.

Images of comet Siding Spring from HiRISE are online at:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA18618

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4349

[Rick]

MAVEN Ultraviolet Image of Comet Siding Spring's Hydrogen Coma

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft obtained this ultraviolet image of hydrogen surrounding comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring on Oct. 17, 2014, two days before the comet's closest approach to Mars. The Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument imaged the comet at a distance of 5.3 million miles (8.5 million kilometers).

The image shows sunlight that has been scattered by atomic hydrogen, shown as blue in this false-color representation. Comets are surrounded by a huge cloud of atomic hydrogen because water (H2O) vaporizes from the icy nucleus, and solar ultraviolet light breaks it apart into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen atoms scatter solar ultraviolet light, and it was this light that was imaged by the IUVS. Two observations were combined to create this image, after removing the foreground signal that results from sunlight being scattered from hydrogen surrounding Mars.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4352

[Rick]

Mars Orbiter's Spectrometer Shows Oort Comet's Coma

The Compact Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) observed comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring as the comet sped close to Mars on Oct. 19. CRISM recorded imaging data in 107 different wavelengths, showing the inner part of the cloud of dust, called the coma, surrounding the comet's nucleus.

Two images from CRISM presenting three of the recorded wavelengths are online at:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA15291

Comet Siding Spring -- an Oort Cloud comet that may contain material from the formation of the solar system some 4.6 billion years ago -- was making its first voyage through the inner solar system. CRISM and many other instruments and spacecraft combined forces to provide an unprecedented data set for an Oort Cloud comet.

More: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4353

[Rick]

Mars Spacecraft Reveal Comet Flyby Effects on Martian Atmosphere

Two NASA and one European spacecraft that obtained the first up-close observations of a comet flyby of Mars on Oct. 19, have gathered new information about the basic properties of the comet's nucleus and directly detected the effects on the Martian atmosphere.

Data from observations carried out by NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), and a radar instrument on the European Space Agency's (ESA's) Mars Express spacecraft have revealed that debris from the comet added a temporary and very strong layer of ions to the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer high above Mars. In these observations, scientists were able to make a direct connection from the input of debris from a specific meteor shower to the formation of this kind of transient layer in response; that is a first on any planet, including Earth.

Comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring traveled from the most distant region of our solar system, called the Oort Cloud, and made a close approach around 2:27 p.m. EDT within about 87,000 miles (139,500 kilometers) of the Red Planet. This is less than half the distance between Earth and our moon and less than one-tenth the distance of any known comet flyby of Earth.

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