Countdown for historic comet landing Nov 12

[jpinx]

TOUCHDOWN !!!

https://twitter.com/philae2014

[Tywais]

More analysis of @Philae2014 telemetry indicates harpoons did not fire as 1st thought. Lander in gr8 shape. Team looking at refire options

More here

[Jay Sata]

A great achievement for Europe

[David48]

Nice set of released photos here......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/europeanspaceagency/sets/72157638315605535/

seems to be covered in some sort of fine particle matter. not something you would expect of something zooming through space at a zillion kph. something that small also would have little gravity associated with it so further how do the particles stick and further where do they come from in such quantity.

You do know there's no wind, don't you?

Solar wind?

[T_Dog]

Plug in the comet's parameters and see what it might do if it hit earth.....

http://www.purdue.edu/impactearth/

[jpinx]

Just amazing!!! I see one report of an initial bounce about 1Km high and then a second bounce before it settled. No news on which way up or anything, but cameras are rolling and something will show soon hopefully. There was also a comment about the wisdom of re-firing the harpoons as the recoil might pitch the lander off again.

The shots of the comet as the lander approached are stunning. Looks like a mix of dirt, dust and stones sitting on a base of solid rock. Ten years to get there - staggering but total kudos to the teams of navigators and engineers.

[jpinx]

duplicate

Edited November 13, 2014 by jpinx

[7by7]

Some news reports said that the lander is about the size of a washing machine.

They also experienced some unexpected problems with the landing; the 'bounce' jpinx mentions.

I've also had problems with a washing machine and Comet!

(Brits will probably get this, others maybe not)

Edited November 13, 2014 by 7by7

[jpinx]

I hope yours didn't bounce a kilometer off the top of Comet

[Chicog]

Comet lander up against the side of a large cliff

The Philae space probe has ended up against the side of a large cliff, something that may hinder its operations.

Scientists believe that the lander is resting on its side possibly with one leg extended out into open space.

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-11-13/comet-lander-up-against-the-side-of-a-large-cliff/

[David48]

I always thought that the comet would be round(ish) ... wrong.

Credit

Edited November 13, 2014 by David48

[David48]

Good Bye, Good Luck..

Series of images form OSIRIS NAC showing Philae's descent to the surface of a comet. They were taken on 12 November 2014, between 10:24 and 14:24 GMT (onboard spacecraft time). Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA

Some interesting info and more images here ... http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/11/13/philaes-landing-through-rosettas-eye/

Edited November 13, 2014 by David48

[zydeco]

Comet lander up against the side of a large cliff

The Philae space probe has ended up against the side of a large cliff, something that may hinder its operations.

Scientists believe that the lander is resting on its side possibly with one leg extended out into open space.

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-11-13/comet-lander-up-against-the-side-of-a-large-cliff/

Well, I sure hope not. Too much knowledge to be gained with a fully working mission. If what you describe is true, they've screwed the pooch.

[tifino]

...so look ahead to the future:

Scenario 1:

Comet eventually returns on it's next swing towards the Sun.

Probe reawakens as it again has enough light about, to overcome the surrounding cliff's shadow.

However, the Probe cannot communicate back with EAS, as the at-this-time--orbiting mother-craft is no longer nearby to relay communications, as it had previously already departed on it's next far-flung continuing mission.

Scenario 2:

Alien world is impacted by comet sometime in the future.

Aliens find remnants of Earth-made relics amongst the comet debris

Aliens blame, and attack Earth

Edited November 15, 2014 by tifino