PIA17484: 3-D Models of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Nucleus


3-D Models of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s Nucleus

Caption:

Hubble measured the size, shape and rotational period of the Rosetta mission's backup target, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G). The telescope's observations from March 2003 revealed that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G) is approximately five-by-three kilometres, and shaped like a rugby ball on which it is possible to land. ESA Mission scientists were concerned about the exact size of the solid nucleus, which is needed to adapt the mission to the comet's gravity.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
System Periodic Comets
Target Type Comet
Mission Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Rosetta
Instrument Host Hubble Space Telescope Rosetta Orbiter
Host Type Space Telescope Orbiter
Instrument
Detector
Extra Keywords Grayscale, Rotation
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2003-09-05
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/ESA/Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale, Philippe Lamy
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA17484
Identifier PIA17484