Spacecraft releases jaw-dropping comet 'selfie'
Harrison Ruess, REUTERS
First posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 03:00 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 04:21 PM EDT
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft released a spectacular image Tuesday as it floated a mere 16 km above the surface of a comet.
In the "selfie," Rosetta's solar panel is visible in the foreground of the photo of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimengo, where the craft arrived in August after travelling more than a decade through deep space to catch up with the comet, made of rock and ice.
The spacecraft is currently lowering its obit in preparation for November 12, when part of the probe will touch down on the surface.
The landing will be the first time in history that a probe sets down on a comet.
Scientists hope to unlock the secrets of how the solar system – and the Earth – formed by studying the comet, which serves as a time capsule from 4.5 billion years ago.
Rosetta and Comet 67P currently sit about 478 million km from Earth, between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter.
The Rosetta spacecraft captures a "selfie" from 16 km above the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimengo. ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA
Spacecraft releases jaw-dropping comet 'selfie' | Comet 'selfie' | World | News
Harrison Ruess, REUTERS
First posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 03:00 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 04:21 PM EDT
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft released a spectacular image Tuesday as it floated a mere 16 km above the surface of a comet.
In the "selfie," Rosetta's solar panel is visible in the foreground of the photo of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimengo, where the craft arrived in August after travelling more than a decade through deep space to catch up with the comet, made of rock and ice.
The spacecraft is currently lowering its obit in preparation for November 12, when part of the probe will touch down on the surface.
The landing will be the first time in history that a probe sets down on a comet.
Scientists hope to unlock the secrets of how the solar system – and the Earth – formed by studying the comet, which serves as a time capsule from 4.5 billion years ago.
Rosetta and Comet 67P currently sit about 478 million km from Earth, between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter.
The Rosetta spacecraft captures a "selfie" from 16 km above the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimengo. ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA
Spacecraft releases jaw-dropping comet 'selfie' | Comet 'selfie' | World | News
