Solar probe to pass through comet's tail for 'bonus science'

European ncy said Friday that its Solar Orbiter probe will pass through tail of a comet in coming days and scientists plan to switch on its instruments early to conduct some “bonus science.”

Solar Orbiter was launched in February on a mission to capture first pictures of sun’s elusive poles and chance encounter with comet ATLAS wasn’t planned.

After being alerted to opportunity by Geraint Jones of Britain's Mullard Science Laboratory, mission scientists set about ensuring four of probe's instruments will be switched on to gar data about trail of dust and charged particles left by comet.

ESA said similar chance flybys through a comet's tail have only been recorded six times previously and only after event h taken place.

ncy's director of science, Guenr Hasinger, said unexpected encounter “provides a mission with unique opportunities and challenges, but that’s good.”

"Chances like this are all part of venture of science,” he ded.

(Im Credit Pixabay)