Spacecraft hurtles toward Jupiter

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is zooming toward a close encounter with Jupiter to study its atmosphere, ring system and four of its moons before dashing off to see Pluto in 2015, scientists said Thursday. It will be the seventh probe to visit the solar system’s largest planet.

After 12 months of flight, the probe is due to make its closest pass by Jupiter on Feb. 28, flying within 1.4 million miles. NASA scientists said the main purpose for visiting Jupiter is to exploit the giant gas planet’s gravity to slingshot New Horizons at 52,000 mph toward Pluto.