Posted on 08/11/2014 7:28:57 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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 Churyumov–Gerasimenko's periphery and harpoon itself to the surface.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Image Credit & Copyright: ESA, Rosetta spacecraft, NavCam imager; Music: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)]
Bump!
Photo Gallery: Step Right Up And Tour Rosetta’s Comet! Where Shall We Land?
http://www.universetoday.com/113809/photo-gallery-step-right-up-and-tour-rosettas-comet/#more-113809
Where’s the ice. . . one commentor claims the craters may be due to recent subsidence due to the volatiles being boiled out rather than impacts. . . but I must ask: subsidence from what gravity? The same commentor says the ice may exist as a frozen core where it collected after being melted by warming to a “briny liquid” by sun warming and impacts. Again, what gravity pulled it toward the center when there would be more mass away from the center, and vacuum will cause water and ice to vaporize away due to sublimation on its own, until none is left. None of this makes any sense.
Assuming you agree the earth was formed by the accumulation of 'space debri' (asteroids, comets, etc), where do you think ocean water came from?
Thanks!
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