to follow it on NASA TV in more or less real time. Well, you have to account for the delay for distance and all.
The images that came through were surprising in their own way. Just what is comet stuff after all? Learning more after every encounter, and more are needed.
It was surprising that there was no apparent outgassing from the comet prior to impact. Of course there was a coma visible in telescopic views, but closeups from the spacecraft showed nothing. So it has been with other comet encounters except for Halley. Why the difference?
The point was made that Tempel 1 is "jet black." Reminders may be necessary from time to time. Interesting too that there was little or no apparent brightening visible from Earth at/after impact.
Altogether a remarkable achievement. We need more of this.
Space/Science » in reply to BOOM! Direct hit!
re: Very exciting
The whole thread (42 posts)
- BOOM! Direct hit! (n/t)
- View from sci.space.policy
- Very cool animation
- re: Very exciting
- Situational paradigm finally reversed! Now, comets will fear us! :)
- $333 million dollars just blown away
- Kitt Peak
- Still waiting for an online image.
- What a great way to kick off the 4th of July! (n/t)
- about 1 second off from planned impact time (n/t)
- Great impact photo on CNN (n/t)