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Comet Narrowly Passes Mars, NASA Orbiters

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The comet Siding Spring made history last night, when it whizzed by Mars. It was the first time in recorded history that a comet came that close to a planet without hitting it.

The comet also narrowly missed NASA orbiters and rovers on and around Mars. The orbiters captured images of the comet, which are slated to be released tomorrow.

Kelly Beatty, senior contributing editor for Sky & Telescope magazine tells Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson about why this comet is so special.

Comet Siding Spring passed roughly 85,000 miles from Mars on October 19, 2014. (NASA/JPL/Horizons)
Comet Siding Spring passed roughly 85,000 miles from Mars on October 19, 2014. (NASA/JPL/Horizons)

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This segment aired on October 20, 2014.

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