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Credit & Copyright: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
(Mozart)
Explanation:
What does it look like to approach a comet?
Early this month
humanity received a new rendition as the robotic Rosetta
spacecraft went right up to -- and began orbiting -- the nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
This approach turned out to be particularly fascinating because the comet nucleus
first revealed itself to have an unexpected
double structure, and later showed off an unusual and
craggily surface.
The above 101-frame time-lapse
video details the approach
of the spacecraft from August 1 through August 6.
The icy comet's core is the size of a mountain and rotates every 12.7 hours.
Rosetta's images and data may shed light on the
origin of comets
and the early history of our Solar System.
Later this year,
Rosetta is scheduled to release the
Philae lander, which will
attempt to land on Comet
ChuryumovGerasimenko's periphery and
harpoon
itself to the surface.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: comet - comet nucleus
Publications with words: comet - comet nucleus
See also:
- APOD: 2024 April 17 Á Total Eclipse and Comets
- APOD: 2024 April 8 Á The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons Brooks
- Comet Pons-Brooks at Night
- APOD: 2024 March 18 Á Comet Pons Brooks Swirling Coma
- Comet 12P/Pons Brooks in Northern Spring
- Structure in the Tail of Comet 12P/Pons Brooks
- The Snows of Churyumov Gerasimenko