EPOXI

One of the first amazing images of NASA's EPOXI mission flying by comet Hartley 2 at minimum distance of about 700 km (435 miles). The encounter took place at about 11 millions miles distance to earth. 

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Detail of the comet showing jets of gas heated by the sun.
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Watch the happy people at the mission's control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Closest contact in this video happens at about 01:35:00. Congratulations to mission control!

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