Last week we put together tweet-sized descriptions of Rosetta’s 11 science instruments. Now it’s lander Philae’s turn!

(Reminder: a tweet can contain up to 140 characters. See the panel over on the right of this blog entry for Rosetta’s twitter feed, plus details on how to follow Philae, as the spacecraft tweet their way to comet 67P/CG!)

Philae's instruments. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab

Philae’s instruments. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab

APXS, Alpha X-ray Spectrometer: elemental composition of the comet’s surface

ÇIVA, Six micro-cameras to take panoramic pictures; a spectrometer to study composition, texture & albedo of samples

CONSERT, Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission: probes comet’s interior structure with Rosetta

COSAC, Cometary Sampling and Composition experiment: detects and identifies complex organic molecules

Ptolemy, Miniaturised analytical laboratory to determine the nature and isotopic compositions of volatiles at the surface

MUPUS, Multi-Purpose Sensors for Surface & Subsurface Science: heat flow, thermal & mechanical properties of near-surface layers of nucleus

ROLIS, Rosetta Lander Imaging System: descent images and stereo panoramic images of areas sampled by other instruments

ROMAP, Rosetta Lander Magnetometer & Plasma Monitor: study of local magnetic field and solar-wind interaction

SD2, Sample and Distribution Device: drills 23cm into the surface, collects samples and delivers them to onboard lab for inspection

SESAME, Surface Electric Sounding and Acoustic Monitoring Experiment: physical & electrical properties + measures dust falling onto surface

For detailed information about Philae’s instruments, click here.