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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Comet Pix

Comet Pix

by @heymistermix.com|  November 12, 20142:44 pm| 58 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Here are some pictures from the successful landing of Philae on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Nice to see humanity doing one thing right this month. Open thread.

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Next Post: What Not To Wear To A Comet Landing »

Reader Interactions

58Comments

  1. 1.

    BGinCHI

    November 12, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    The Rosetta spacecraft is Obamacare for comets.

    – Ted Cruz, Astrophystard

  2. 2.

    sharl

    November 12, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Some excellent photos there. Thanks!

    In case Tommy shows up here… Don’t know if you got your question answered about what words/text are banned by WordPress, but here’s a default* “master list” – note that, for each entry, all characters** are included as part of the banned text (**dashes, underlines, etc.).

    *My impression is that FYWP blog owners can create their own keyword/text blacklists, so that default list may not be applicable for this here site.

  3. 3.

    rea

    November 12, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    This is, as usual, pretty amazing:

    http://xkcd1446.org/

    136 updated versions at the time of this comment.

  4. 4.

    dmsilev

    November 12, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    @BGinCHI: Ted Cruz undoubtedly would have preferred the Deep Impact comet mission. Because (a) it was a NASA mission and (b) it involved smashing into a comet at very high speed rather than this namby-pamby European soft-landing nonsense.

  5. 5.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    m@sharl: Got it. Go space. Came home from the hospital when we landed on the moon (when I was born). Watching the Challenger blow live on at school. Hard. My friends drew pictures and specs about space credit. Do it. I sat next to them as we did and and wondered why I was lacking for their vision. I did not think all those things. Happier days.

  6. 6.

    Seanly

    November 12, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Pfft, what has science ever done for us?

  7. 7.

    bemused

    November 12, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Meanwhile, back here on earth, there is a lovely dive video done in an old Minnesota iron ore mine pit no longer in use.I never learned how to do links but you can find it at minnesotabrown.com titled Under the deep clear waters of Tioga Pit.

    The ex-mine pits fill up with water, pure ground water, after the mine companies stop pumping the water out. There are many of these pits on the Iron, Mesabi and Cuyuna ranges and some are now public swimming beaches and fishing spots, others quite secluded and hard to get to.

    It’s a beautiful video and the water is unbelievably clear.

  8. 8.

    Calouste

    November 12, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Nice to see humanity doing one thing right this month.

    No Americans were involved with Philea, which I’m sure is a completely and utterly irrelevant bit of information.

  9. 9.

    Belafon

    November 12, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    @bemused: There’s an old missile silo in my home town, Abilene, TX, that has partially filled with water. They now offer diving tours to the bottom of the silo.

  10. 10.

    Belafon

    November 12, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    @Calouste: The only relevance to the topic is Republicans would have required the comet to be named after Reagan in order to approve the mission.

  11. 11.

    catclub

    November 12, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    @rea: Why the entry in the status box for US scientists? Isn’t it an ESA mission?

  12. 12.

    the Conster

    November 12, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    @Calouste:

    It’s too sciencey for Americans. also too.

  13. 13.

    bemused

    November 12, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    @Belafon:

    Interesting but can you fish in it?

  14. 14.

    Belafon

    November 12, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    Google has changed it’s home page in honor of the landing.

  15. 15.

    Matt McIrvin

    November 12, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    There are actually some American scientific instruments on the Rosetta probe, though not on the lander, I think.

  16. 16.

    Belafon

    November 12, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    @bemused: There are no fish. The water seeped in through the concrete over the last couple of decades.

  17. 17.

    srv

    November 12, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    That’s no moon

  18. 18.

    bemused

    November 12, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    @Belafon:

    I didn’t think so.

  19. 19.

    dmsilev

    November 12, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    @catclub: Most space probes carry instrumentation built by a plethora of agencies and universities from around the world. I haven’t looked at the list for Rosetta in particular, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there were some instruments either from NASA or from some US universities on board.

    Edit: http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0603585

    We describe the design, performance and scientific objectives of the NASA-funded ALICE instrument aboard the ESA Rosetta asteroid flyby/comet rendezvous mission. ALICE is a lightweight, low-power, and low-cost imaging spectrograph optimized for cometary far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectroscopy.

    (Huh. Turns out I know one of the authors of that paper. Funny.)

  20. 20.

    jibeaux

    November 12, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    Directed to a different thread:
    Bruce Springsteen doesn’t have to be your cup of tea, but disparaging his performing ability makes about as much sense as saying that Coca-Cola isn’t that great at carbonated beverages.
    carry on with more important matters.

  21. 21.

    Villago Delenda Est

    November 12, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    @Seanly: “Science, what is it good for? Absolutely NOTHING! Sing it again!”

    This revised lyric brought to you by the Sarah Palin Word Salad translation machine.

  22. 22.

    Linda Featheringill

    November 12, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    :-)

  23. 23.

    Bill Arnold

    November 12, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    The comet-vs-central-park image is a nice touch.

  24. 24.

    Villago Delenda Est

    November 12, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    @Bill Arnold: The targeting is a bit off. The NYT building is to the west and south of Central Park.

  25. 25.

    Cervantes

    November 12, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    @Calouste:

    No Americans were involved with Philea, which I’m sure is a completely and utterly irrelevant bit of information.

    @the Conster:

    It’s too sciencey for Americans. also too.

    Actually, there are at least four US-based experiments (and associated instrumentation) on the mission.

  26. 26.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    November 12, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    @Seanly: Google it.

  27. 27.

    mdblanche

    November 12, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    @Seanly: The aqueduct?

  28. 28.

    Grumpy Code Monkey

    November 12, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    Getting a probe to a comet was a big enough achievement; landing a probe on a comet is mind-blowing. Escape velocity is something like 1 m/s; a flea could jump off the surface and head out for deep space.

    Philae had some problems on descent; the thruster meant to hold it in place while the harpoons fired is non-functional, as, apparently, are the harpoons. Initial readings indicate it may have bounced or shifted after landing; either way, it’s settled on the surface, but not secured. The force of gravity is such that its local weight is on the order of 10 grams. That may deep-six the planned drilling operations, and the first gas jet that opens near it may be enough to kick it back into deep space.

  29. 29.

    Citizen_X

    November 12, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    @Grumpy Code Monkey: I thought the harpoons worked, but the anchors to be screwed (fired?) in from the landing pads failed.

  30. 30.

    Tone In DC

    November 12, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    @Grumpy Code Monkey:

    Getting a probe to a comet was a big enough achievement; landing a probe on a comet is mind-blowing.

    No doubt.
    The news consultant on a certain non-Fox show alluded to the speed of the comet… approximately 40,000 miles per hour. Somewhere, Stephen Hawking is grinning.

  31. 31.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    @sharl: I’ve been a WordPeess deveoler and never seem that list.

    Gosh I know so little ….

  32. 32.

    Iowa Old Lady

    November 12, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    @Tommy: My scholarly career was launched with an article on the communication failures leading the Challenger disaster. I’ve always felt guilty that my reputation began with the death of seven people.

  33. 33.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    @Tone In DC: Yeah Hawking. We brought a probe on a comet for really no reason outside of being curious. If that isn’t cool I don’t know what is!

  34. 34.

    JPL

    November 12, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    @rea: Thanks! I was trying to relay to my son some of the updates, and now he can see for himself. xkcd was an invaluable blog today.

  35. 35.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: For many years the guy in school next to me drew space ships. Not of fantasy. Real shit. Outside of 9/11 it is the one day I almost recall with total clarity. Military brat. We were all called in to see the first “teacher in space.” Maybe 300 of us. Then of course things went sideways. We didn’t know what to do. Our teachers didn’t. I guess it happened and I can’t say much more ….. my Kennedy (w/ 9/11) moment if that isn’t un-polite to say. Engraved in my life for all time.

  36. 36.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: Edward Tuff fan? Just asking not trying to pry.

  37. 37.

    JPL

    November 12, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    @Tommy: Since I was a Freshman in High School at the time of Kennedy’s death, I wanted to let you know that I didn’t find it impolite at all. It had to be a traumatic occurrence.

  38. 38.

    Amir Khalid

    November 12, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    @jibeaux:
    I agree. No artist gets to be universally popular, but the man’s been filling stadiums for three of his five decades as a live performer. He must be doing something right.

  39. 39.

    elmo

    November 12, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    @Tommy:

    Yes. I was a sophomore in college, and I lived in the “geek House,” so everyone was gathered in the basement to watch the launch together. Everyone, that is, except for a friend who was actually there for the launch, down in Florida.

    That was my “Kennedy moment,” too.

  40. 40.

    Cervantes

    November 12, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    @Tommy: Tufte.

  41. 41.

    Tommy

    November 12, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    @JPL: My parents can tell one of two things. When Kennedy was killed. For me it was the Challenger. Maybe one other thing. When John Lennon was killed. I caan recall that day well. We came out of a gymnastics class for me and mom might have cried in the street. With others.

  42. 42.

    catclub

    November 12, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    @dmsilev: Yes, but why not an entry in the status box for
    just: Scientists

    US Scientists, without an entry for European Scientists, seems to make a distinction I don’t follow.

  43. 43.

    Iowa Old Lady

    November 12, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    I’m looking at the Lynch confirmation, action on immigration, and whatever we’ve agreed to with China on environment and wondering if the president is setting an agenda for Congress to keep them busy and making trouble in his sandbox rather than theirs.

    ETA: Also funding to fight Ebola and authorization for military force.

  44. 44.

    JPL

    November 12, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: None of those items should make trouble in his sandbox but you’re right, msm will make it so.

  45. 45.

    d58826

    November 12, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Given the events in the US over the past few weeks, I wonder if I could emigrate to the comet.

  46. 46.

    gogol's wife

    November 12, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    @jibeaux:

    I agree! I’ve seen him live twice and it was phenomenal.

  47. 47.

    Howard Beale IV

    November 12, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Bad News: Body of Dan Ha recovered.

  48. 48.

    pat

    November 12, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Wow. Launched 10 years ago and it lands on a chunk of rock less than a mile across 317 million miles away . What a shame if it can’t accomplish the drilling because the anchors didn’t work!

    But the photos are simply mind-blowing. HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

  49. 49.

    Villago Delenda Est

    November 12, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    @Howard Beale IV: Ah, shit.

  50. 50.

    Villago Delenda Est

    November 12, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    @pat:

    HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

    Photoshop. Same way they did the moon landing.

    /Alex Jones

  51. 51.

    rea

    November 12, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    To those who pointed it out above, note that he’s come to his senses, and now the status box is just, “scientists”.

  52. 52.

    Tone In DC

    November 12, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    @Tommy:

    It IS cool.
    No reason, you say?
    Buzz Aldrin and a few other folks would like a word with you.

    Just sayin’.

  53. 53.

    rea

    November 12, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    @Tommy: We brought a probe on a comet for really no reason outside of being curious.

    There is an excellent reason to probe comets, as any dinosaur could tell you. Hell, probing comets might be the most practical thing humans have yet done in space.

  54. 54.

    d58826

    November 12, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    @Tommy: I guess this must mean I’m getting really really old – I have my JFK moment, Challenger moment, 9/11 moment and Columbia moment I don’t really have a John Lennon moment since I wasn’t the Beatle fanatic that my sister was

  55. 55.

    Iowa Old Lady

    November 12, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    @Howard Beale IV: Sorry to hear that.

  56. 56.

    Origuy

    November 12, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    More info on Dan Ha.

  57. 57.

    dance around in your bones

    November 12, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    @Howard Beale IV: Oh, for fuck’s sake. I am so sorry.

    Yesterday was Veteran’s Day, which made me sad, and also the date of my husband’s death, which made me even sadder. I’ve been a puddle today.

  58. 58.

    samiam

    November 13, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Muckymux having another one of his “Mission Accomplished”, “Sarah Palin is running for President” etc. moments.

    While he is doing his impression of George Bush landing on an aircraft carrier the actual mission has run into some potentially serious issues. Heck of a job muckymux!

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