By studying the interior of the comet, the scientists hope to learn about the conditions during the formation of the solar system and the chemical building blocks of life. Although this is a short task, it is expected to be spectacular
The "Deep Impact" spacecraft is scheduled to launch today (Sunday) a projectile the size of a washing machine that will crash on Monday morning into the nucleus of comet Temple-1 and reveal its contents.
The projectile, which weighs 372 kg, will be launched into a collision course with Temple-1 on Sunday and the collision is expected on Monday morning.
By studying the interior of the comet, the scientists hope to learn about the conditions during the formation of the solar system and the chemical building blocks of life. Although this is a short task, it is expected to be spectacular.
The spacecraft's instruments and telescopes from the ground will record the event, when the spacecraft is expected to open a hole in the ground of the comet nucleus the diameter of a football field.
"Like any good geologist would do, we want to hit the rock with a hammer and see what's inside," says Jessica Sunshine, project scientist.
The cosmic fireworks are scheduled for 05:52 GMT (08:52 Israel time) on the morning of the 4th of July.
The plume of gas and dust that will erupt from the crater may make a comet so bright that observers on Earth will be able to see it through binoculars or even with the naked eye in extremely dark areas.
Viewers in the western US, Hawaii, Mexico and parts of Central and South America are the preferred viewing sites. Viewers in these locations will see the comet hanging in the southwest sky after sunset on July 3 - exactly the time and place to watch the crash.
If the comet does brighten it will appear as a blurry spot not far from the star Spica.
We at the science site are prepared to update in real time, about half an hour after the event and by extension - towards the afternoon hours of Monday.
