Posted on 06/18/2004 6:41:11 AM PDT by traumer
A detailed analysis of the comet Wild 2 (pronounced "Vilt 2") has left astronomers astounded at an object that has no known peers in the solar system.
The comet, examined in a close flyby in January by NASA's Stardust spacecraft, has towering protrusions and steep-walled craters that seem to defy gravity. More than a dozen jets of material shoot out from its insides. Dust swirls around the comet in unexpectedly dense pockets.
Among the bizarre features are two depressions with flat floors and nearly vertical walls that resemble giant footprints. They aren't structured like typical impact craters. The features have been named Left Foot and Right Foot in a new map of the comet, which is roughly 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Sooner or later something will gonna get us.
This composite image was taken by the Stardust probe's navigation camera during its encounter with Comet Wild 2 in January. Several large depressed regions and jets of dust and gas can be seen. Comet Wild 2 is about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers in diameter.
Good, an interesting comet.
I'm a little confused here.
This is the first close up picture of a comet ever taken, AFAIK. But because they're seeing unexpected features, they're chalking it up to this comet being an aberration.
That is completely bassackwards. They should be examining their predictions and trying to see how the visual confirmation fit into current hypotheses. Instead they're throwing this one out as EXTRAordinary and keeping the old models intact.
Looks like a piece of a moon or planet from the early solar system, blown apart or smashed apart by a long done impact. But then, I'm convinced an orbiting moon or piece of a Mars moon slammed into Mars long ago, so don't take my speculations as worthy.
Sorry, just read a paragraph I must have missed.
RAMA!
What?
You got something against the comet head being made of dirty ice? :^)
I think you're right. Some concept revision appears to be indicated.
Nice call!
(steely)
slick willie's ego?
Damn! That's a HUGE map!
FOOTFALL!
Hope its not the comet I just saw in Chronciles of Riddick.
The Silver Surfer, perhaps?
Maybe this is the comet that is coming to pick up those guys who all killed themsleves the last time a comet came around.
Big feet?... The girls oughta like that!
". . . has towering protrusions and steep-walled craters that seem to defy gravity."
Right! . . . . just examined the pot-marks and craters on my backyard landscape boulder and they defy gravity too.
WTF! It's a rock for criss sakes!
Oh, by the way, my government school once told me, there is NO gravity in space!
Geez, what do I have to do.
(snicker/snicker)
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