A Comet Comes Into Focus

A drawing of Deep Space 1 passing by Comet Borrelly.

In a risky flight on September 22, a NASA spacecraft gave scientists a rare look into the heart of a comet. Deep Space 1 braved a battering by debris to get a closeup of Comet Borrelly. The craft, which flew within 1,400 miles of the comet, recorded more than 20 images.

Comets are like dirty snowballs, sailing through space. This is only the second time that a spacecraft has come so close to a comet's core. The images show that comets are much more complex than once thought—with rugged terrain, rolling plains and deep fractures.

The NASA team has called Deep Space 1's mission "mind-boggling and stupendous." As the craft continues to send data back to Earth, they hope for more surprising discoveries.