Deep Impact prepares for launch.

On July 4th 2005 (EDT), NASA’s Deep Impact spacecraft made contact with comet Tempel1 in order to further research the intricacies of our universe. Deep Impact travelled for a staggering 173 days and over a distance of approximately 268 million miles to meet the comet.

The purpose of this dramatic feat of imagination and engineering? Well, scientists hoped that the deployment of a 1 metre long ‘Impactor’ into the Tempel1 comet will provide vital information about the solar system as we know it, as well as informing us of the structure and composition of the comets themselves.

The Deep Impact spacecraft deployed the ‘Impactor’ into the path of Tempel1 (travelling at 23,000 miles per hour) and then monitor the effects from 310 miles below the comet. When the ‘Impactor’ and Tempel1 connected, an immense cloud of powdery material was released and produced a huge crater - the ice and dust debris alone will provide incredible insights. The initial findings alone are that the dust is a very fine substance, more like talcum powder than sand or gravel.

Scientists have gathered an immense amount of data from the impact. They have approximately 4,500 images alone to scan though and formulate results. From the pre-impact data that they have, the engineers can see that the 'Impactor' sustained two hits from coma particles prior to connecting with Tempel1 - this however, was not unexpected.

Soon after, the ‘Impactor’ hit Tempel1, it burrowed its way towards the centre of the comet through the use of tiny thrusters. Once inside, it was then able to communicate with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, providing them with incredible insights. The massive crater which the impact created was at the larger end of their expectations - between 165 and 820 feet wide. Scientists are still examining this inorder to make a more specific calculation.

One of the most astounding discoveries is to be found just under the surface of Tempel1 where the material from the formation of the solar system which still remains relatively unchanged. Once all the data has been analysed, scientists hope to be able to compose a more complete picture of how the Universe was formed, and may continue to change in future.