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Deep Impact, 2005-2013

Deep Impact was a mission aiming to accomplish the incredible: Blast a hole in comet Tempel 1 in an effort to see what it's made of.

 

As depicted in the artist's concept above, an impactor weighing over 800 pounds was thrust into the comet creating a crater, ejecting ice and dust and revealing what lay beneath. Cameras and other instruments on the Deep Impact spacecraft recorded the approach, impact and aftermath.

 

Deep Impact launched on January 12, 2005 and its impactor struck Comet P/Tempel 1 on July 4, 2005.

 

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Credit: NASA/JPL/UMD

Image Number: PIA7923

Date: June 9, 2005

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Uploaded on January 12, 2025
Taken on June 7, 2013