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Deep Impact Catches First Glimpse of Target Comet

Posted by timothy on from the now-put-ben-affleck-into-the-torpedo-tube dept.

smooth wombat writes "The BBC has a story, with pics and diagrams, showing the first image of comet Temple Tuttle 1 taken by the Deep Impact spacecraft. (Secondary link from Wired News) The Deep Impact spacecraft is to rendezvous with the comet on July 4th and impact the comet in an attempt to learn more about how comets are formed and possibly more insight into how the solar system was formed. A camera on the impactor will allow scientists to examine the surface of Tempel 1 in greater detail than ever before. Depending on how much dust hits the camera's lens, scientists should be able to see photos up until a second before impact. If that's the case, the photos will reveal objects as small as 8 inches in width. The photos will immediately be relayed to the main Deep Impact spacecraft and then down to Earth."

5 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Only Cameras? by capt.Hij · · Score: 2, Informative
    The encounter, at roughly 23,000 mph, is expected to kick up dust and leave behind a large crater, though scientists don't know for sure just what will happen since they have never attempted anything like this before.

    I couldn't find anything in either article about the instrementation other than that they have cameras. Is that the only thing they've got? If so, then an image won't be able to do anything than generate more questions and add little insight. Besides, at these speeds they will be something like 1/2 mile out when the last picture is taken.

    1. Re:Only Cameras? by AgNO3 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually it is more like 6.3 miles for the last pics.

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    2. Re:Only Cameras? by kromozone · · Score: 2, Informative

      Most of the data is not going to come from the impactor but from the flyby spacecraft. The flyby craft will wait outside the comet's coma where it will be free from contact with dust or other matter ejected from the surface of the comet. The impactor's primary function is just to slam a big hole into the comet so the flyby spacecraft can get a peak inisde /reading comprehension

    3. Re:Only Cameras? by Shag · · Score: 3, Informative
      Precisely! To be more specific, this batch of ground-based telescopes, coordinated by this member of NASA's science team for the mission. :)

      Alas, I think someone else gets to operate that night on the one I run, so I guess I'll just go hang out and watch.

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  2. Re:A note about the name by Hatta · · Score: 2, Informative

    Disregard that comment, I RTFA and the comet in question is Temple 1 not Temple-Tuttle. Article submitter screws up again.

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