Stardust spacecraft makes comet flyby (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News

Nasa's Stardust spacecraft has swept past the comet Tempel 1.

The encounter early on Tuesday (GMT) will give scientists unique information on how these great balls of ice and dust change over time.

Tempel 1 was visited by another probe back in 2005. It fired a projectile at the body to disturb the surface.

Stardust's images will reveal the extent of the impact crater and any other alterations that may have occurred on the 7.5km-wide object.

The spacecraft was expected to get to within about 200km (120 miles) of the comet nucleus.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12433138