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PHOTO: Rosetta Sends 'An Impressive New Perspective' On Comet

By Krishnadev Calamur
Published February 11, 2015 at 12:42 PM EST

Space, Douglas Adams wrote, is big. Really big. And from this vastness comes "an impressive new perspective" on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko taken by the Rosetta probe from about 77 miles away.

We won't disagree.

The European Space Agency, which operates Rosetta, says, "The image is the first single frame image capturing the entire comet nucleus since leaving bound orbits last week."

The ESA adds:

"The image provides a stunning contrast to the recent close-up images, offering new perspectives on the extent of the comet's activity. Indeed, the jets emanating from Hapi (the neck region) extend towards the edge of the frame in the upper right. Adjusting the intensity scaling, as we have done in this image, also emphasizes the nebulous 'glow' of activity that appears to be coming from all over the sunlit surfaces of the nucleus. Bringing out the jets also highlights the large amount of background 'noise', which includes material ejected from the comet."

The ESA has processed the image to bring out details of the comet's activity. Rosetta is tailing 67P as the 2.5-mile-wide comet hurtles toward the sun. It met up with the comet last August.

The probe will fly by the comet Saturday. More pictures are expected.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Krishnadev Calamur
Krishnadev Calamur is NPR's deputy Washington editor. In this role, he helps oversee planning of the Washington desk's news coverage. He also edits NPR's Supreme Court coverage. Previously, Calamur was an editor and staff writer at The Atlantic. This is his second stint at NPR, having previously worked on NPR's website from 2008-15. Calamur received an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri.
See stories by Krishnadev Calamur

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