Comet Siding Springs’ Close Approach to Mars

This artist's concept shows Earth on the bottom left and the moon on the top right, with a line crossing down the middle showing the distance the comet would come if Earth were Mars.
June 16, 2014
CreditNASA/JPL-Caltech
Language
  • english

If Mars were Earth, comet Siding Spring would pass by at about 1/3 the distance of Earth to the Moon.
This artist's concept shows a comparison of this extremely close encounter. The comet will pass only 82,000 miles (132,000 kilometers) from Mars on Oct. 19, 2014. NASA Mars spacecraft have taken the necessary precautions to protect themselves during this encounter.

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