Today’s CometWatch entry is a single frame NAVCAM image obtained on 6 March from a distance of 82.9 km from the centre of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The image has a resolution of 7.1 m/pixel and measures 7.2 km across.
Single frame NAVCAM image of Comet 67P/C-G taken 6 March from a distance of 82.9 km to the comet centre. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0
The view shows the underside of the comet’s large lobe in the foreground, with the small lobe in the background. An annotated version of the image is also provided to help identify some of the comet’s regions.
You can also find regional maps of Comet 67P/C-G here and here.
The original 1024 x 1024 pixel image is provided below:
Discussion: 10 comments
A marvelous picture! It is as if our eyes could be out there in the cosmos. Thank you for sharing this unique opportunity!
Hi Emily–
I commend your efforts to help us learn the named regions on the nucleus. However, it is hard to visualize a three-dimensional object based on two-dimensional projections. The Rosetta teams obviously have developed a 3D model much improved over the first version, and this would be a big help for everyone trying to get their heads around this object (especially if you color-coded this regions as shown in the reference images. Plus, a printed model would be a HUGE help in talking to groups of schoolkids. Finally, Mathias Malmer has released his model*, so it looks like the amateurs are beating the pros once again .
–Richard
* video based on his model at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdLp3g27Ha8
Another particle streak down there. Should arrive at some explanation before one of them hits Rosetta.
b photo is on the wild. Any case to shutdown?
Structures surviving focused blasting at back of neck.
Pixel 361,332 of
https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2015/03/comet_on_6_march_2015_navcam/15299269-1-eng-GB/Comet_on_6_March_2015_NavCam.jpg
Probably post-blasting crystallizations. Another example at left margin of
https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/files/2015/02/ESA_Rosetta_NAVCAM_20150214T161203_LR.jpg
Visual allegory: General aspect of body underside as a pile of radially hexagonal ice pop, ice lolly. Very badly aged.
Plausible former tangential jetting source at pixel 498,382. Down Right limits of Khepry region.
This jetting ‘in between layers’ doesn’t seem rare in this particular shot of ducky’s head.
Some big boulders highly suspended over almost nothing. Pixel 411,509 of
https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/files/2015/03/ESA_Rosetta_NAVCAM_20150306T090003.jpg