Comet – Page 7 – Astronomy Now

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 lander leaves mothership, exchanges farewell images

12 November 2014 Stephen Clark

Europe’s comet-bound Philae probe released from its Rosetta orbiter mothership Wednesday, snapping photos of the spacecraft that ferried the lander on a ten-year journey from Earth to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Video: Mission control celebrates separation but anxiety builds over landing

12 November 2014 Astronomy Now

Paolo Ferri, ESA’s Head of Mission Operations, expresses relief at the apparently successful release of Philae from the Rosetta mothership but the potential loss of a crucial touchdown system has caused increased anxiety about the landing.

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.

Comet landing is a “go” despite thruster problem

12 November 2014 Stephen Clark

A potential problem with a rocket thruster designed to keep the Philae lander from bouncing off comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko after touchdown Wednesday will make the probe’s daring descent even more challenging, officials said.

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.

Rosetta mission live coverage

11 November 2014 Astronomy Now

Live coverage from the European Space Operations Centre as the Philae lander races to complete its science mission before its battery power runs out.

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.

The dark side of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

6 November 2014 Astronomy Now

This unusual view of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from Rosetta shows the darker side of the comet.

Philae’s comet landing site named Agilkia

4 November 2014 Astronomy Now

With just over a week to go before touchdown, the landing site for Rosetta’s Philae probe has been named Agilkia, after an island on the Nile River in southern Egypt.