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European space probe makes first landing on a comet

12 November 2014 Stephen Clark

After making history as the first spacecraft to touch down on a comet, Europe’s Philae lander collected data on the rugged alien world’s environment and may have rebounded into space before settling back on the surface, scientists said Wednesday.

Jupiter’s ‘sunburnt’ Great Red Spot

12 November 2014 Astronomy Now

A new analysis of data from NASA’s Cassini mission in combination with lab experiments contradicts the leading theory that the striking colour of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is due to reddish chemicals upwelling from below.

Lander manager provides update on Philae status

12 November 2014 Astronomy Now

Philae manager Stephan Ulamec provides an update on the status of the lander following it’s arrival on the surface.

Comet landing timeline

12 November 2014 Stephen Clark

Europe’s Philae spacecraft is set to go for landing on a comet, a never-before-tried maneuver that includes a perilous seven-hour descent and an uncontrolled touchdown.

Unprecedented cosmic choreography essential to landing on comet

12 November 2014 Stephen Clark

When a European landing probe goes for a daring touchdown on a comet Wednesday, officials say it would help to have a little luck on their side.

Active main-belt asteroid 62412 (2000 SY178) develops a tail

11 November 2014 Ade Ashford

Scott Sheppard and Chadwick Trujillo of Carnegie’s Gemini Observatory present recent observations revealing that main-belt Hygeia-family asteroid 62412 (2000 SY178) has a tail.

Top ten Rosetta images from 10km

11 November 2014 Astronomy Now

On the eve of Philae’s landing, the European Space Agency has released its top ten images of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko taken by Rosetta’s navigation camera from its lowest orbit just 10 kilometres from the centre of the nucleus.

Rosetta flight director says Philae ready for release

11 November 2014 Astronomy Now

ESA flight director Andrea Accomazzo, says the Philae lander is ready to separate from the Rosetta mothership and touchdown on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Cassini sounds the depths of Kraken Mare, Titan’s largest sea

10 November 2014 Ade Ashford

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft provides scientists with further radar and spectoscopic data during its 21st August 2014 flyby of Saturn’s largest moon, revealing depths of Kraken Mare, Titan’s largest liquid methane sea, and further evidence of transient islands.

Rosetta’s camera captures new ‘atmospheric’ view of comet

8 November 2014 Astronomy Now

Images of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from Rosetta’s navigation camera have taken on a darker, more “atmospheric” tone in recent days and the latest view is no exception.