The Philae lander from the Rosetta mission is due to land on Comet 67P in about an hour (but it will take just under 1/2 hour for confirmation to be received).
Here's the latest from the European Space Agency website for the mission
Erm - well, there's touchdown, and then there's touchdown. At least, that's according to OG, but I prefer to refer to the lander and the comet. There's just one word to describe the scientists' achievement - brilliant!
Anybody see that comet simulation on the TV with a massive tsunami flooding the earth......how the hell could a comet carry that much water to Earth, even 10 of them?
I am convinced I can see layers in the rocks shown in the cliff close-up.
These could be from impacts. I'd guess that ice at -270C can look and behave like rock.
If it is actual mineral type rock and is sedimentary then that makes it a bit blasted off a planet which already had water and any biomolecules found could be of earth origin. (eg if they are 100% L-amino acids, sugars etc).
A circular argument which could clog internet debates for years to come. :-/
Just wondering. If the comet is as hard as it is now said to be, might the harpoons, had they actually fired, bounced off ? I don't imagine they could be too powerful in case their firing buffeted/damaged or otherwise forced the lander off somewhere.
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