Master Guide
March 2015 - Jan 20, 2022 4:27:51 GMT
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Post by Hill on Jun 15, 2015 16:06:27 GMT
Comet 67P from Rosetta on June 5, 2015 After the comet lander Philae lost contact with Earth shortly after landing, it was feared that it might be lost forever. But the science team hoped that as comet 67P got closer to the Sun light intensity would increase and Philae would finally receive enough energy to recharge its batteries and say "Hello". And that is what happened. Philae is active again and ready to contribute more information. The mission started in March 2004 when the Rosetta spacecraft lifted off for a long journey. After a 10 year gravity assisted journey Rosetta reached its ultimate goal and began surveying Comet 67P (Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko). It sent Philae to the comet's surface successfully. But after a brief celebration, it was discovered that the mechanism designed to grip on to the comet surface malfunctioned. The lander bounced from its initial touchdown and landed in a shaded area. After a short time the batteries, no longer able to recharge, ran out of energy and the spacecraft shut down. Comet orbit
Rosetta mission imageryPhilae landingThe attachment shows the location of 67P on June 15, 2015. Note that it is not visible in Google Sky nor will it be visible from earth except with a powerful telescope.
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Master Cartographer
April 2015 - Mar 28, 2024 17:18:13 GMT
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Post by syzygy on Nov 6, 2017 7:12:40 GMT
only a good picture of a comet plume (for more credit read full esa and nasa articles and download large images following links below)
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