The ESAs Rosetta probe has become the first Human probe to achieve an encounter of a comet. The comet, currently 55 million kilometers away from Earth, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko took 10 years for Rosetta to reach. Rosetta is now in an orbit, mapping 67P and will launch the Philae lander onto the comet in November. It will follow the comet for 15 months, as the comet reaches its Periapsis with the sun.
Rosetta was launched in March 2004 on a Ariane 5 ESA rocket from Guiana and has since done three gravity assists with Earth and one of Mars.
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
In a 6 and 1/2 minute burn, Rosetta now has a 1m/s difference in velocity with 67P. Recently images showed the comet nucleus has two distinct sections. Possible explanations include two nuclei colliding, evaporation, and gravitational forces.
Footage showing the irregular shape.
Clarification: The above GIF is 36 frames each taken 20 minutes apart, therefore the speed shown does not reflect its actual speed of rotation. The actual rate is roughly 12 hours.
A picture taken during Rosetta’s third Earth gravity assist.
A picture of Mars from Rosetta’s flyby of the planet.
is it true that its nickname is the Rubber Ducky?
It is true that it has been called a rubber duck in a few instances due to its shape.