ISRO repositions Mangalyaan to avoid collision with Siding Spring comet

ISRO repositions MangalyaanWashington, Oct 17 : Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has repositioned their Mars orbiter Mangalyaan as a comet called Siding Spring comet will reportedly come closer to Mars on 19th October, 2014.

The orbiting craft will attempt to observe the incoming ice ball and will then hide behind Mars for protection from potentially dangerous dusty debris in the comet tail.

The comet named after the Australian place where it was spotted is as big as a small mountain and will pass close to Mars on Sunday, approaching within 140,000 kilometres at a speed of 202,000 kmph.

Jim Green, head of NASA's planetary science division asserted that they were getting ready for a spectacular set of observations.

The comet with a nucleus estimated to be at least a half-mile in diameter and hails from the Oort Cloud on the extreme fringe of the solar system. (ANI)