Astronomy Picture of the Day - A High Cliff on Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

APOD.NASA.gov ^ | 28 Nov, 2021 | Image Credit & Licence: ESA, Rosetta spacecraft, NAVCAM; Additional Processing: Stuart Atkinson

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: This high cliff occurs not on a planet, not on a moon, but on a comet. It was discovered to be part of the dark nucleus of Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko (CG) by Rosetta, a robotic spacecraft launched by ESA that rendezvoused with the Sun-orbiting comet in 2014. The ragged cliff, as featured here, was imaged by Rosetta in 2014. Although towering about one kilometer high, the low surface gravity of Comet CG would likely make it an accessible climb -- and even a jump from the cliff survivable. At the foot of the cliff is relatively smooth terrain dotted with boulders as large as 20 meters across. Data from Rosetta indicates that the ice in Comet CG has a significantly different deuterium fraction -- and hence likely a different origin -- than the water in Earth's oceans. Rosetta ended its mission with a controlled impact onto Comet CG in 2016. Comet CG has just completed another close approach to Earth and remains visible through a small telescope.

[MtnClimber]

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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

[Billthedrill]

We know what you’re thinking. No, you can’t climb it.

[Scarlett156]

Like a sci-fi novel illustration. Only it’s REAL.

[Brilliant]

You could probably jump off the top of that cliff and just kind of float to the bottom.

[SuperLuminal]

So...
In 2014 Disney was still using that back-lot where they did the moon landings? /s

[JPG]

It has nothing on Verona Rupes on the Uraniun moon, Miranda, which is over six miles high, but it's still pretty cool.

[reviled downesdad]

Reminds me of the Expanse screen play 5 seasons

[frank ballenger]

We know what you’re thinking. No, you can’t climb it.

Then how is the resort hotel on top going to make any money? Even with Bill Shatner promoting it.

[null and void]

It makes one wonder what force is making the ‘sand’ settle out so smoothly on the bottom and not cling to the walls?

[GaltAdonis]

Olympus Mons is an enormous shield volcano on the planet Mars.
The volcano has a height of over 21.9 km (13.6 mi or 72,000 ft)
as measured by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA).

[aimhigh]

Great photos. thanks.

[gloryblaze]

Anybody who tries to climb it better have nine lives lined up.

[SunkenCiv]

Data from Rosetta indicates that the ice in Comet CG has a significantly different deuterium fraction -- and hence likely a different origin -- than the water in Earth's oceans.

Thanks MtnClimber.

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[BenLurkin]

bttt

[jpsb]

wow

[Eagles6]

I see what you did there.

You said Uranian, because you didn't want Uranus, moon and Miranda in the same sentence, because you knew where this thread woul go.

Someone would say "Hey Laz, Miranda saw Uranus when you mooned her!"

But your fears are unfounded.

We're not like that here. (SNORT...GUFFAW 🤪🤣🤭)

[telescope115]

What an amazing picture! Surreal.

[minnesota_bound]

I saw this on Star Trek: Enterprise.
The Vulcans had to rescue the two crewman.