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The flares of the solar wing of a satellite and a comet at the top of the image against the background of deep space.
image source, Other
Rosetta’s selfie shows the texture and wires of her solar wing.
The Rosetta spacecraft, closer than anyone has ever been to a comet, sent back this photograph of itself some 50 km away from 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko, its mission target.
In the remarkable cosmic selfie you can see details of the protective mantle that covers the satellite and the brightness of one of its 14m solar wings in contrast to the black of space.
image source, ESA Rosetta NAVCAM
Comet 67P has rougher terrain than expected, Rosetta found.
Above is comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
The image was taken with a camera located in the Philae module, which in a few weeks will attempt to land on 67P.
As the ship drew closer to its prey, the craggy, irregular surface of the celestial body was revealed.
Therefore, scientists believe that the Philae landing will be more difficult than they thought.
Using data from Rosetta, the researchers will be able to create a colorful map of 67P that reveals an extraordinary landscape, divided into different regions according to its composition.
Cliffs, channels, craters and huge boulders shape the different terrains of the comet.
The map will help, experts hope, to choose the best place to land, something that has never been attempted before.
image source, Other
The different geographic regions of Comet 67P, according to Rosetta mission scientists.
