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It Happens in a Flash
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Caption:
This image shows a flash produced in a laboratory by a high-velocity bead slamming into dust. Though the flash itself can't be resolved, its brilliant effects can be seen in this three-second time exposure. Scientists say that the collision between Deep Impact's impactor and comet Tempel 1 may produce a similar flash.
This flash occurred when a quarter-inch sphere smashed into powdered dust at a speed of 6.4 kilometers per second (4 miles per second). Even though the actual flash lasted less than 50 millionths of a second, the camera recorded the hot debris in the impact crater (center) and the streaking ejecta. This experiment was performed at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Cataloging Keywords:
| Name | Value | Additional Values |
|---|---|---|
| Target | 9P/Tempel | |
| System | Periodic Comets | |
| Target Type | Comet | |
| Mission | Deep Impact | |
| Instrument Host | Deep Impact | |
| Host Type | Impactor | |
| Instrument | ||
| Detector | ||
| Extra Keywords | Collision, Color, Crater, Dust, Impact | |
| Acquisition Date | ||
| Release Date | 2005-07-01 | |
| Date in Caption | ||
| Image Credit | NASA/Ames | |
| Source | photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02108 | |
| Identifier | PIA02108 | |
