NASA has unveiled a remarkable image taken by the Rosetta spacecraft, effectively a ‘selfie’ of the probe against the backdrop of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This snapshot, captured on October 7, 2014, offers a unique perspective on the robotic explorer and highlights the dynamic nature of the comet it was meticulously studying.
Technical Details of the Cosmic ‘Selfie’
At the time this photograph was taken, Rosetta was approximately 472 million kilometers from Earth, but a mere 16 kilometers from the surface of Comet 67P. The image clearly shows dust and gas erupting from the comet’s surface, forming a trailing plume behind its distinctive, bilobed nucleus. Sunlight glints off one of Rosetta’s 14-meter solar wings, a testament to the power of its onboard energy systems.
The image was created by combining two exposures – a short and a long one – using the CIVA camera, mounted on the Philae lander, which was attached to Rosetta at the time. This technique allowed for a high-contrast shot, detailing both the faint and bright elements of the scene.
Philae Prepares for Descent
Philae’s chosen landing site was located on the visible hemisphere of the comet’s smaller lobe. This particular shot served as the final image captured by the Philae camera before the lander separated from Rosetta on November 12, 2014. After separation, Philae took one more picture, looking back at the orbiter, before commencing its historic descent to the comet’s surface.
