BBC环球慢速英语 第346期:星尘号宇宙飞船(4)

voice 1: NASA wanted the Stardust to cross paths with a particular comet named Comet Wild Two. However, the comet was moving very fast and it was very far away! But the scientists were prepared for that. By using mathematics they were able to time exactly when the Stardust and the comet would meet. Their plan was to have the Stardust orbit the sun three times. On its third time around the Stardust and Comet Wild Two would cross paths. The Stardust would then be travelling at the same speed as Comet Wild Two.
声音1：美国航空航天局希望星尘号与“怀尔德2号”彗星相遇。但是，这颗彗星的移动速度非常快，而且距离非常远！不过科学家为此做了充足的准备。通过数学运算，他们准确地测定了星尘号和该彗星相遇的时间。他们的计划是让星尘号绕太阳运转三次。在第三次绕日运转时，星尘号会和“怀尔德2号”彗星相遇。届时星尘号将和“怀尔德2号”彗星以相同的速度移动。

voice 2: The Stardust and the comet had to be travelling at the same speeds. If the comet had been travelling faster, the comet's particles would hit the Stardust. Small, fast-moving particles could have easily destroyed the Stardust. But if the Stardust had been travelling faster than the comet, it would have passed the comet by. It would not have been able to gather the materials the scientists wanted.
声音2：星尘号和这颗彗星必须以相同的速度移动。如果彗星的移动速度更快，那它的颗粒就会撞上星尘号。小且移动速度快的颗粒可能会轻易地毁坏星尘号。但是如果星尘号的移动速度快于彗星，那它就会错过彗星。星尘号就不能收集到科学家想要的材料了。