Sunrise at the comet

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Sunrise at the comet visualisation

Using recent OSIRIS shape models and images, scientists at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, France, have created this 'trailer' for Rosetta's arrival at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 6 August.

Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MSP/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA - Animation: Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille

Source: ESA - Space in Videos

[bison]

The density of this comet is given as ~ 100 kilograms per cubic meter. That's only about 11% of the density of water ice. The interior of this object must be at least 89% essentially empty spaces, probably actually over 90%, given the likely presence of denser materials like rock and dust, and how they would affect the whole-body density. Other comets have been found to have densities of around 600 kg per cubic meter. They've certainly picked an unusual object to send the Rosetta spacecraft to. Rosetta arrives at comet 67P/Churyumov-Garasimenko in just two days.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

I have just uploaded some of the most recent images of 67P/Churyumov-Garasimenko to UM's image gallery. Click the links below to see the images:

• Comet on 1 August 2014 - NavCam
  
• Comet on 2 August 2014 - NavCam
  
• Comet from 1000 km
  
• Comet on 3 August 2014 - NavCam
  

[Merc14]

We've been watching this for so long it is awesome to see that she has finally arrived and is getting ready to go to work. Imagine the excitement inside the science team, especially since Rosetta seems to be at 100% so far.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Merc14

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Another new image:

• Comet on 4 August 2014 - NavCam
  

[Merc14]

Another new image:

• Comet on 4 August 2014 - NavCam
  

145 miles. All those years and miles of travel and they are spot on. Amazing stuff.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Some more images:

• NavCam animation 6 August (click on image to enlarge it for animation)
  
• Comet on 3 August 2014
  
• Comet activity on 2 August 2014
  
• Comet on 3 August 2014