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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National
ET Science Desk

The Great Southern Comet came within 446,000 miles of the Sun — scientists explain how close an object can get and survive

Mercury is often described as the planet living closest to the Sun. But when it comes to getting dangerously close to our star, the planet is nowhere near the limit.

Asteroids, comets and even spacecraft have ventured millions of miles inside Mercury’s orbit. Some have survived the encounter and continued their journeys through space. Others have been torn apart, evaporated or plunged directly into the Sun.

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