Tracking a comet
20 years, 5 months ago

Tracking a comet

The Hindu  

The ESA's Rosetta spacecraft is on a 10-year mission to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in a bid to unravel the secrets of comets and their place in the evolution of the solar system. In 1986, the European Space Agency's Giotto mission flew within 600 km of Comet Halley, revealing its nucleus as an irregular-shaped chunk of ice. In this frigid region, where solar radiation is 16 times lower than in the earth's vicinity, the icy nucleus - the heart of the comet - remains dormant. During an epic journey lasting more than 10 years, Rosetta will have achieved many historic landmarks: The first spacecraft to orbit a comet's nucleus; the first spacecraft to fly alongside a comet as it heads towards the inner solar system; the first spacecraft to examine from close range how a frozen comet is transformed by the warmth of the sun; the first controlled touchdown on a comet nucleus; the first images from a comet's surface and the first in situ analysis to find out what it is made of; the first flybys of the main belt asteroids Siwa and Otawara; and the first spacecraft ever to fly close to Jupiter's orbit using solar cells as its main source of power.

Space Comet Gas Spacecraft Earth Solar System Esa Our Solar System Comets Tail Rosetta Dust Particles Nucleus  spacecraft  nucleus  solar  gas  space  system  tail  comet  comets  rosetta  tracking

History of this topic

Unveiling the Celestial Enigma: Kerala Observatory Tracks the 'Comet of the Century' C/2023 A3
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Unveiling the Celestial Enigma: Kerala Observatory Tracks the 'Comet of the Century' C/2023 A3

New Indian Express  

The Kerala University's Astronomical Observatory has tracked the path of the comet C/2023 A3 and recorded some of its unique features. The comet, which has an extremely long orbital period, took roughly 80,000 years to complete one orbit around the sun. It is currently visible in the Orion constellation and is expected to be tracked for the next three days.

Across the Northern Hemisphere, now’s the time to catch a new comet before it vanishes for 400 years
1 year, 6 months ago

Across the Northern Hemisphere, now’s the time to catch a new comet before it vanishes for 400 years

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A newly discovered comet is swinging through our cosmic neighborhood for the first time in more than 400 years. Stargazers across the Northern Hemisphere should catch a glimpse as soon as possible — either this week or early next — because it will be another 400 years before the wandering ice ball returns. “So you really …

Nasa spots record breaking, huge comet headed towards Earth
2 years, 11 months ago

Nasa spots record breaking, huge comet headed towards Earth

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It is also thought to have a mass of about 500 trillion tons – a hundred thousand …

Hubble observes massive comet that will swing by the sun in 2031
2 years, 11 months ago

Hubble observes massive comet that will swing by the sun in 2031

CNN  

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. CNN — A comet with a nucleus larger than the state of Rhode Island is heading our way, but Earth is in no danger of a “Don’t Look Up” situation, astronomers say. While most of the known comet nuclei measure a few miles across, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope spotted Comet …

Researchers discover a gargantuan comet 1,000 times bigger than usual heading towards Earth
3 years, 5 months ago

Researchers discover a gargantuan comet 1,000 times bigger than usual heading towards Earth

Firstpost  

Scientists predict that the comet will come closest to the Earth about a decade later, sometime in the year 2031. A gigantic comet, estimated to be about 1,000 times more massive than a typical comet, is heading towards the inner solar system. Later, the object appeared to have a tail - an indicator of being a comet and was seen …

Largest known comet is heading close enough to us to become visible
3 years, 8 months ago

Largest known comet is heading close enough to us to become visible

CNN  

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein, so named because it was found by University of Pennsylvania department of physics and astronomy graduate student Pedro Bernardinelli and Professor Gary Bernstein, is between 62 to 124 miles across. J. da Silva/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA The giant comet, also known as C/2014 UN271, is from the outskirts of our solar system and …

New comet likely visitor from another solar system
5 years, 6 months ago

New comet likely visitor from another solar system

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The solar system may have another foreign guest. Both NASA and the European Space Agency are reporting that a newly discovered comet zooming toward the sun is likely from another star. Astronomers said Thursday it’s traveling 93,000 mph, so fast it likely originated outside our solar system. “We are now working on getting more observations of …

‘Comet interceptor’ craft built in Europe to unlock space secrets billions of years old
5 years, 9 months ago

‘Comet interceptor’ craft built in Europe to unlock space secrets billions of years old

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Led from the UK’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory, the new mission will see three separate spacecraft fly …

Stargazers to witness yet another celestial treat as brightest comet to pass by Earth today
6 years, 3 months ago

Stargazers to witness yet another celestial treat as brightest comet to pass by Earth today

India TV News  

Stargazers are in for a treat as the “brightest comet” is set to make one of the 10 closest comet flybys of Earth in 70 years, and one may even be able to see it without a telescope on Sunday, NASA said. Comet Wirtanen has already been visible in larger amateur telescopes, and while the brightness of comets is notoriously …

European scientists send Rosetta on collision course to surface of comet 67P
8 years, 6 months ago

European scientists send Rosetta on collision course to surface of comet 67P

Firstpost  

European scientists have sent the Rosetta spacecraft on its final, one-way journey to the surface of a comet, after a historic 12-year mission to discover the secrets of the dusty, icy bodies. The Rosetta spacecraft has been chasing comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko across more than 6 billion kilometres of space, collecting a treasure trove of information on comets that will keep scientists …

It’s official: Rosetta’s long journey with comet 67P has ended
8 years, 6 months ago

It’s official: Rosetta’s long journey with comet 67P has ended

LA Times  

The European Space Agency’s Rosetta orbiter will commit operational suicide early Friday morning, but first it has just a little bit more science to do. Early Friday morning, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta orbiter committed operational suicide when it deliberately smashed onto the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the mountain-sized comet that has been its constant companion for the last two years. …

Rosetta landing: Comet-chasing probe touches down
8 years, 6 months ago

Rosetta landing: Comet-chasing probe touches down

CNN  

Story highlights Rosetta's last act is to set down on the comet surface The Philae lander discovered 16 organic compounds Spacecraft traveled billions of miles Mission cost $1.57 billion CNN — The Rosetta space probe has crash-landed on the surface of a distant comet, ending a remarkable 12-year mission that made a series of breakthrough discoveries. ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team …

Rosetta orbiter to be parked on comet surface
8 years, 6 months ago

Rosetta orbiter to be parked on comet surface

CNN  

Story highlights Scientists aiming to land Rosetta orbiter on comet surface They want to investigate comet's strange 'goosebumps' Rosetta will then be turned off CNN — Here’s the challenge: Land a spacecraft that was designed to be an orbiter on the surface of a speeding comet that is millions of miles away and carry out pioneering science on the way …

PHOTO: Rosetta Sends 'An Impressive New Perspective' On Comet
10 years, 1 month ago

PHOTO: Rosetta Sends 'An Impressive New Perspective' On Comet

NPR  

PHOTO: Rosetta Sends 'An Impressive New Perspective' On Comet Space, Douglas Adams wrote, is big. And from this vastness comes "an impressive new perspective" on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko taken by the Rosetta probe from about 77 miles away. The European Space Agency, which operates Rosetta, says, "The image is the first single frame image capturing the entire comet nucleus since leaving …

Rosetta's comet in amazing detail
10 years, 2 months ago

Rosetta's comet in amazing detail

Daily Mail  

Scientists will be hoping for more photo opportunities when the closest approach to the sun is made in August In total 70 per cent of the comet's surface has now been imaged, with the rest still shrouded in darkness A series of stunning images have been released showing Rosetta’s comet in unprecedented detail, revealing cracks on the surface, evidence of …

Rosetta to swoop down to just four miles of comet 67P in February
10 years, 3 months ago

Rosetta to swoop down to just four miles of comet 67P in February

Daily Mail  

Philae may have taken the limelight following its landing on comet 67P, but its orbiting spacecraft, Rosetta, still has a few of its own daring manoeuvres to complete. Up until now, Rosetta's closet view of the comet has been six miles Bounce back: The blurry image captures the rapid motion in which Philae was launched back out into space. The …

Cometary quest
10 years, 4 months ago

Cometary quest

The Hindu  

After a tense seven hours, there were high fives, hugs and handshakes. Separating from the Rosetta mother craft, >Philae made history on Wednesday by becoming the first probe to carry out a soft landing on a comet. The uncertainties inherent in an unguided descent without active propulsion meant that the probe would come down somewhere in a ‘landing ellipse’ about …

Landing on a comet: Spacecraft Rosetta attempts the impossible today
10 years, 4 months ago

Landing on a comet: Spacecraft Rosetta attempts the impossible today

Firstpost  

A historic attempt to land a spacecraft on a comet was set in motion Wednesday by scientists at the European Space Agency, despite a last-minute problem with the landing system. It is also the end of a 6.4 billion-kilometer journey on which Rosetta carried its sidekick lander Philae piggyback to reach the comet. ESA announced early Wednesday that the lander’s …

Scientists at European Space Agency set for historic comet landing attempt
10 years, 4 months ago

Scientists at European Space Agency set for historic comet landing attempt

Firstpost  

A historic attempt to land a spacecraft on a comet is poised to be set in motion Wednesday by scientists at the European Space Agency. Berlin: A historic attempt to land a spacecraft on a comet is poised to be set in motion Wednesday by scientists at the European Space Agency, despite a last-minute problem with the landing system. “We’ll …

Philae comet probe may have bounced after landing
10 years, 4 months ago

Philae comet probe may have bounced after landing

CNN  

Story highlights NEW: Mission controllers say probe's anchoring harpoons failed and craft may have bounced NASA scientist calls the comet the most "bizarre, wonderful thing I have ever seen" The probe tweets: "Touchdown! ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team One of the primary objectives of the Rosetta mission was to drop the Philae lander onto the comet. ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA …

Halley's Comet return: Keep your eyes peeled for a cosmic fireworks display later this month
10 years, 5 months ago

Halley's Comet return: Keep your eyes peeled for a cosmic fireworks display later this month

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Halley’s Comet makes a return to our skies this month – …

Countdown to Rosetta's comet landing on 12 Nov begins
10 years, 6 months ago

Countdown to Rosetta's comet landing on 12 Nov begins

Daily Mail  

It will then use harpoons to keep itself attached to the surface A secondary landing area known as Site C is also available, with a decision on which to be used to be made on 14 October If all goes to plan confirmation of the landing will be returned at 1700 BST It will be exactly nine years to the …

Rosetta takes image of its solar wings and Comet 67P
10 years, 6 months ago

Rosetta takes image of its solar wings and Comet 67P

Daily Mail  

But map shows the comet's surface is more uneven than first thought 5 landing sites, which appeared to be flat, were chosen last month Rosetta has taken an incredible selfie of its 131ft solar wings gleaming against the darkness of space. The map was used to help researchers pick a suitable place to drop a lander in November The map …

Rosetta spacecraft meets 67P/CG comet
10 years, 7 months ago

Rosetta spacecraft meets 67P/CG comet

NL Times  

The European Space Agency's Rosetta probe has been brought to within 100 km of the Chury comet after a seven-minute burn of its thrusters. Orbiting around the comet, moving at 55,000 km per hour, the Rosetta can finally begin the research that it set out into space ten years ago to do. "After ten years, five months and four days …

European probe to reach comet today
10 years, 7 months ago

European probe to reach comet today

NL Times  

After its launch more than 10 years ago, the un-manned Rosetta probe is nearing its mission-goal of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, or "Chury" Wednesday morning. After a seven-minute burn, the probe will come within 100km of the Chury comet, which is traveling at up to 135,000 km/h through space, and comes around every 6.45 years. The scheduled time for the probe …

After A Decade, Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Nearly There
10 years, 7 months ago

After A Decade, Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Nearly There

NPR  

After A Decade, Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Nearly There It's been a long journey, but it's nearly over. On Wednesday, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft will finally arrive at the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Enlarge this image toggle caption ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM Matching 67P's velocity and orbit has been tricky. "It was a fantastic achievement just to get this far, I think," says Matt …

Rosetta has (almost) landed
10 years, 7 months ago

Rosetta has (almost) landed

ABC  

In Depth › Science Features Rosetta has landed After a 10-year chase through space, the Rosetta spacecraft has caught up with the comet that will reveal secrets of our solar system. On 11 November, Rosetta will deploy a small robotic craft called Philae that will attempt to land on the comet's surface. This week's images show the comet is now …

Rosetta image reveals it's closer than ever to icy comet just 1,200 miles away
10 years, 8 months ago

Rosetta image reveals it's closer than ever to icy comet just 1,200 miles away

Daily Mail  

Just a SPACE stone's throw away! Rosetta image reveals that it is closer than ever to its icy comet at just 1,200 miles away One image shows the coma, which is the dust and gas envelope that grows around its nucleus as the comet moves along its orbit closer to the sun Another reveals that the comet is far more …

European Space Agency releases astonishing video showing how Rosetta probe will touch down
11 years, 2 months ago

European Space Agency releases astonishing video showing how Rosetta probe will touch down

Daily Mail  

Now THAT'S how to land on a Comet! European Space Agency releases astonishing video showing how Rosetta probe will 'dance' in space before touching down in November Rosetta is expected to release its lander in November Video reveals the incredibly complex route it will take to get close to the surface Probe to be brought back to life on January …

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013
12 years, 6 months ago

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013

Daily Mail  

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013 They are one of the most spectacular views a human could hope to see - and next year a comet which could outshine the moon is due to fly by the Earth. Comet ISON is visiting the inner solar system and is set to put on …

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