dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (04/25/85)
Soviet spacecraft traveling to Comet Halley are carrying some American instruments. More -- after this. April 25 Analyzing Halley's Dust Right now, somewhere between our world and the planet Venus, there are two Soviet space probes enroute to Venus -- Vega One and Vega Two. Launched six days apart last December, the two Vega spacecraft will visit Venus this June -- then continue on their interplanetary journey toward an encounter next year with Comet Halley. The Vegas are two of the five spacecraft from Earth scheduled to have close encounters with Halley. The U.S. isn't sending a spacecraft to the comet -- but instruments designed in this country are going aboard the Soviet Vegas. The instruments will analyze dust from the comet. They were designed by researchers from the University of Chicago -- who are collaborating with the Soviets in studying the comet's dust. American scientists are participating in other experiments aboard the Vegas -- including imaging the comet -- getting its picture -- and studying the plasma or ionized gases produced by Halley. Vega One will be the first spacecraft from Earth to pass near Comet Halley -- on March 6 of next year. The information on the comet's dust relayed by Vega One will be used to help determine the near Halley approach of Vega Two. What's more, the information will be shared with Japan and the European Space Agency as their spacecraft attempt comet fly-bys just days after the first Soviet approach. Comet Halley fascinates people all over the Earth. Its return every 76 years is an event heralded by all nations. It's interesting that this return of the comet is marked by cooperation among nations around the globe. Script by Diana Hadley. (c) Copyright 1984, 1985 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin