This is really quite something, to think that they have actually
landed on a comet, amazing really!
QuoteIt's one of those moments in space exploration when the true immensity of the universe sharpens into clarity. More than 10 years ago, on March 2, 2004, the European Space Agency launched the Rosetta spacecraft. More than 10 years of hurtling through 4 billion miles of black, 10 years of monitoring its progress, 10 years of anticipation. For this moment: The rendezvous with a comet that's two miles long and 2.5 miles wide.
On Wednesday morning, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the Rosetta spacecraft opened "a new chapter in solar system exploration," as it rendezvoused with the comet after firing its thrusters for nearly seven minutes to catch up with it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/06/the-rosetta-spacecraft-after-10-year-journey-captures-unprecedented-glimpse-of-comet/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUvrwPBSo3A
Quote
The journey to the comet was not straightforward, however. Since its launch in 2004, Rosetta had to make three gravity-assist flybys of Earth and one of Mars to help it on course to its rendezvous with the comet. This complex course also allowed Rosetta to pass by asteroids Šteins and Lutetia, obtaining unprecedented views and scientific data on these two objects.
"After ten years, five months and four days travelling towards our destination, looping around the Sun five times and clocking up 6.4 billion kilometres, we are delighted to announce finally 'we are here',"
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_arrives_at_comet_destination
kewl. now when are we going to see pics and data from Rosetta? I am interested in what this comet looks like at 2 miles by 2.5 miles in size...
is it rock? a chunk of ice? a lump of frozen glop?
bring it on, Rosetta... 8)
seeker
Quote from: the seeker on August 08, 2014, 05:23:16 PM
is it rock? a chunk of ice? a lump of frozen glop?
Hey, found a few images from NASA!
Very Kewl!!!
(http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/esa_rosetta_osirisnac_130806_a.png)
Close up detail focusing on a smooth region on the 'base' of the 'body' section of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The image was taken by Rosetta's Onboard Scientific Imaging System (OSIRIS) on August 6, 2014. The image clearly shows a range of features, including boulders, craters and steep cliffs. The image was taken from a distance of 80 miles (130 kilometers) http://www.nasa.gov/content/rosettas-target-up-close/#.U-JFRPldV8E
bts, just to the lower right of that smooth area - there appear to be several taller vertical objects, and also some shorter verticals. Just wondering..........! :)
Quote from: rdunk on August 08, 2014, 06:16:59 PM
there appear to be several taller vertical objects, and also some shorter verticals.
Yes, I see em, it will be fun to learn more!
After a 10 year chase, lets hope they make good on it.
;)
Well now, here is an ESA pic that makes it even a little more interesting!
What do you think this odd looking feature is? Is it attached as part of the comet, or is it just near the comet? If it is attached, then besides looking somwewhat out of place, it does look very odd.
(http://s10.postimg.org/d05p3njex/The_Comet_Close_up_What_is_This_w_ring.jpg)
Well, after looking at another pic - this photo is from the opposite side, and we can see what is likely the "odd feature" discussed above. In this view it is obviously a part of the Comet. :)
(http://s30.postimg.org/nje051pw1/The_Comet_Close_Up_From_The_Opposite_Side.jpg)
Quote from: burntheships on August 08, 2014, 05:12:43 PM
This is really quite something, to think that they have actually
landed on a comet, amazing really!
They haven't, not yet, the landing will probably happen on November 11. :)
More information and photos at the Rosetta Blog (http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/).
Interesting times for space exploration. :)
@ArMaP,
Yes, apparently they are orbiting the comet, have not landed yet,
as you mentioned November is the target date.
QuoteRosetta caught up with and began circling a bulbous comet known as 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimernko (mercifully called 67P for short). And in early November, if all goes according to plan, the mother ship will deploy a lander named Philae to analyze the comet's structure and composition in unprecedented detail. http://time.com/#3092964/comet-rosetta-spacecraft-2/
Another photo, published today.
(http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/files/2014/08/ROSETTA_NAVCAM_20140808.jpg)
When I look at it, it resembles nothing more than a lump of clay with tool marks, impressions, and other "lump of clay"-looking features.
Quote from: Amaterasu on August 10, 2014, 03:54:40 AM
When I look at it, it resembles nothing more than a lump of clay with tool marks, impressions, and other "lump of clay"-looking features.
Hey Amy, that is one way of looking at it. ;)
Another way to see it is a bunch of dust!
http://www.space.com/23712-your-house-is-full-of-space-dust-it-reveals-the-solar-system-s-story.html
In anycase, since it is still hurtling through space, I guess
that is alot more fun than a dustball in my house...hehe.
:o
Does this look like where Buck Rogers might be hiding?
(http://www.floridafusion.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/The_Comet_Close_Up_From_The_Opposite_Side.jpg)
A hole like the ones at S-4?