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Martian Encounter
Featured on October 16, 2014
Comet Siding Spring will pass about 85,000 miles above Mars on October 19, as depicted in this artist's concept. Several Mars orbiting spacecraft will "hide" behind Mars to protect themselves from possible cometary debris. The orbiters, as well as two rovers on the surface, will study the comet before and after its close encounter with Mars. [NASA/JPL]