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First Results From Deep Impact Mission
jdoire wrote to mention a Physicsweb piece revealing some of the first bits of data from the Deep Impact mission. From the article: "Based on data from the flyby spacecraft and the impactor, Michael O'Hearn of the University of Maryland and colleagues say that Tempel 1 belongs to the Jupiter family of comets, although its overall shape and surface features are quite different from the nuclei of the two other comets that have been studied in detail -- Wild 2 and Borelly. They also report that Tempel 1 consists largely of extremely fine particles that seem to be very loosely bound together: in other words, the comet is more like a pile of powder than a solid rock." Looks like the Electric Universe folks were a bit off.
If such is the case, would the explosion have destroyed the majority of the comet rather than a small portion?
/. would have covered it... at least a few times ;)
Mind you, I wasn't there when the explosion occurred, but I do feel that if the comet had been entirely destroyed,
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Well dang, if that's all it is, c'mon in for a landing buddy. Man, we had you comets all wrong.
Won't be a planet killer...more like a planet tickler...cute little fella.
There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
The comet becomes terribly afraid whenever anything is about to hit it. This natural "tensing up," it what allows us to study it effectively.
Also, moving at many thousands of kilometers per second means that you can impact almost anything and cause an explosion. If the probe gently touched down, it might well have settled into the comet very ently.
10101110
"in other words, the comet is more like a pile of powder than a solid rock."
NASA wants its Tang back.
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
This all goes back to the saying "Why don't you go pound sand.".
*returns to punching fine particles*
I once saw a documentary about a comet that was made completely from garbage. It was nearly impossible to destroy because it was such a loose collection of items. This comet seems very similar.
Ninjas don't carry tic tacs
How does it feel to be potential parents to an alien species?
Like a Scientologist?
(rimshot!)
"Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
-Impact in 3... 2... 1....
*POOF*
"10101110??? It's gibberish...(looks in mirror) 01110101!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!"
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Is this the MPAA? Is this the RIAA? Is this the DMCA? I thought it was the USA!
Uh oh. Don't let the cosmetic companies in on our cosmic find. Heaven forbid Channel or Revlon market a powder puff from comet dust. I can see it now. The funded research/harvesting rocket Delta rocket lifts off with 'Maybe it's Maybelline' on the side sliding past the live web-cam tower broadcast is just wrong. Ugh - cosmic cosmetics.
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter F. Drucker
it might well have settled into the comet very ently.
Harrrooomm! Harruummmmm! My, but you are a hasty comet. Very hasty, indeed. Harrooooooomm!
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
The density of water is one pound per pint, which is to say about 36 stone per hogshead.