Comet 67P comes into clear view with new images and data from Rosetta. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA After 10 years, 4 billion miles, and an Interstellar-style hibernation, the Rosetta spacecraft arrived in August at its final destination: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Engineers inserted Rosetta into orbit around the comet — a human first — and began taking measurements and mapping out landing spots for the intrepid Philae lander. Philae, once ejected, bounced twice, harpooned the comet’s surface, and came to rest in an unfortunately shady spot where it can’t recharge its solar batteries (RIP, although it’s “just sleeping”). The orbiter, though, has continued to collect information about and images of 67P. And today, scientists unveiled their first batch of new knowledge.
Rosetta’s images show the comet to have two lobes connected by a rocky “neck.” Some scientists call it a “rubber duck” shape, although it may have been too long ...
