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Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Halley's Comet
Message-ID: <5961@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14-Sep-85 21:07:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: utzoo.5961
Posted: Sat Sep 14 21:07:41 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Sep-85 21:07:41 EDT
References: <186@kitc.UUCP>, <408@dadla.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 25
Keywords: comet, halley

> ...  There are several probes being sent to visit the comet
> at closer range.  The missions are sponsored by The Soviet Union, Japan, the
> European Space Agency, and someone else (I think -- don't quote me on this).

The exact count is 2 Soviet (with some French participation), 2 Japanese
(one of which is an engineering test vehicle with limited sensors), and
1 European (the most sophisticated of the lot).  That's it.

> The United States' own NASA was not able to send a probe, due to lack of
> development funds (Thank Reagan for that!)

Actually, I think Carter is equally to blame.  These things have long lead
times.  I don't remember exact dates, though.

> The closest approach I recall
> being stated is ~100,000 miles.  Should be pretty exciting -- we should get
> pictures almost as good as those from craft like Pioneer and Voyager.

The closest approach for Giotto (the ESA probe) is going to be hundreds,
not hundreds of thousands, of miles.  The pictures should be spectacular;
cross your fingers and pray that Giotto survives long enough!  A very close
encounter with a comet at about 70 kps is not the safest of maneuvers.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henry