New 3D Model Released For 'Rubber Ducky' Comet
A detailed three-dimensional moving image has been released of the 67P comet, where the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft is scheduled to land a probe in a few months. According to data from NASA instruments onboard the Rosetta spacecraft, the comet is in two connected part that some say is in the shape of a rubber ducky.
A three-dimensional moving model has been created of Comet 67P, where the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft is scheduled to land a probe in a few months.
According to data from instruments onboard the Rosetta spacecraft, the comet appears to have two connected parts that some say is in the shape of a rubber ducky.
The images used to create the model were taken when Rosetta was just thousands of miles away from the comet.
Scientists took the information from the 36 individual images captured every two hours to create this model of how the comet looks as it rotates in different lighting.
The resolution of the images are 330 feet per pixel, and a full rotation of the comet reportedly takes just over 12 hours.
The project manager for the spacecraft’s onboard imaging system, known by the acronym OSIRIS, is quoted as saying: “This is unlike any other comet we have ever seen before.”
If all goes according to plan, the Rosetta spacecraft will come within just over 30 feet of the comet to scan the surface looking for a place to land the probe.
A three-dimensional moving model has been created of Comet 67P, where the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft is scheduled to land a probe in a few months.
According to data from instruments onboard the Rosetta spacecraft, the comet appears to have two connected parts that some say is in the shape of a rubber ducky.
The images used to create the model were taken when Rosetta was just thousands of miles away from the comet.
Scientists took the information from the 36 individual images captured every two hours to create this model of how the comet looks as it rotates in different lighting.
The resolution of the images are 330 feet per pixel, and a full rotation of the comet reportedly takes just over 12 hours.
The project manager for the spacecraft’s onboard imaging system, known by the acronym OSIRIS, is quoted as saying: “This is unlike any other comet we have ever seen before.”
If all goes according to plan, the Rosetta spacecraft will come within just over 30 feet of the comet to scan the surface looking for a place to land the probe.