Posted on 07/17/2014 4:55:29 PM PDT by cripplecreek
The comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko may actually be two objects stitched together. New images from ESA's Rosetta spacecraft show an odd constriction near the middle of the comet, suggesting that two clumps of matter may have merged in what scientists call a contact binary.
The conclusions are preliminary, as Rosetta was still roughly 12,000 kilometers away from the comet when the images were taken. The comet could also have had a more regular single shape with parts carved out through impacts or ice melting as the object circled the sun, mission scientists say. They will have more details about the comet's shape and how it could influence Rosetta's landing on the object next month when the spacecraft arrives at 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
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Fascinating. I always wished they would plant some kind of instrument or communications package on a comet. Sort of like putting a beacon on a whale and then tracking it.
Of course with it spinning like that, I don’t suppose you’re going to get any really good visuals.
12 hour rotation period so I’m sure there will be plenty of time for a good look.
I wonder if you could do some star mapping with the right package. Just think the amount of parallax you could get.
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