New images of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Before the Philae probe lands on the surface of Comet P76, it will take a few more months (the landing will be carried out only on November 14 of this year). But now scientists have received a lot of data about the comet, and data that cannot be obtained without the Rosetta station.

In particular, scientists already know that the nucleus of a comet consists of two parts, and it is still unclear whether these are the coalesced nuclei of two different comets, or the deformed nucleus of one comet. Moreover, the surface of the "halves" is different. If the “head” of the comet is covered with linear parallel formations similar to cliffs, then the “body” of the comet has an uneven surface, with “valleys” and “peaks”.

In addition, it turned out that the comet is warmer than astronomers expected, the surface temperature of the comet is -70 degrees Celsius. It seems that the comet's nucleus is covered with dark dust, which is the cause of the increased temperature.

Well, now Rosetta sends new photographs of the surface of the object of its study literally every day:


Photo of August 16 (93.5 km from the comet)


Photo of August 15 (91 km from the comet)


Photo of August 14 (100 km)


Stereo image, photo “ isthmus »


13th of August, 115 km from comet


12 of Augusta, 103 km

Every day, 11 scientific instruments of the Rosetta station add new data to the general "boiler" of information. Nevertheless, the maximum results in the study of the comet can be achieved only after the landing of the Philae probe. We look forward to November, although before this date astronomers will be able to surprise us more than once.

Via esa