NASA Spacecraft Flies Through Tail of Comet

For the second time, the Solar Orbiter flew through the tail of a comet.

Despite being primarily tasked with studying the Sun, the small spacecraft has collected a lot of scientific data about comets as well.

The second crossing was predicted by Samuel Grant, a graduate student at University College London.

The comet was first discovered by astronomer GJ Leonard at the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. It has led to spectacular views of a bright streak in the night sky.

The rare encounter could give new insight into how solar winds can affect comets.

Passing By

The Solar Orbiter passed by the Earth late last year. Leonard's tail was so long that it stretched all the way to Earth.

The Heavy Ion Sensor is sensitive enough to distinguish between the atoms, ion, and molecule produced by solar wind and those of comets.

The lead investigator of the Southwest Research Institute's SWA-HIS said in a statement that the ion are all clear of cometary origin because of their small electrical charge.

The Sun's magnetic field is being draped around the comet as it moves through space, according to data collected by the Orbiter.

The Solar Orbiter's crossing was predicted in advance.

Grant said in the statement that the big advantage is that you get to sample a comet at a massive distance.

The small craft is going to make its closest pass of the Sun in 31 million miles, a third of the Earth-Sun distance.

There is so much to look forward to with Solar Orbiter, we are only just getting started.

The Solar Orbiter Spacecraft caught a second comet by the tail.

NASA's Sun-Exploring Spacecraft contains powdered bones.

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