Science: Rendezvous with the Sun

"Hey, look! It's right out there," exclaimed Skylab Astronaut Edward Gibson last week. "I tell you, it's one of the most beautiful creations I've ever seen. It's so graceful." Added Skylab Commander Gerald Carr: "It's yellow and orange, just like a flame."

After a journey of billions of miles across the outer reaches of the solar system, the comet called Kohoutek last week finally made its solar rendezvous. And for the first time in astronomical history, a comet's close sweep round the sun—when it is subject to maximum heat and gravitational force—was observed from above the earth's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!