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Churyumov–Gerasimenko

A collection of pictures of the first landing
of a space probe on a comet.

On March 2, 2004, ESA launched the Rosetta probe, which on August 6, 2014 became the first spacecraft to actually enter into an orbit around a comet.

On November 12, 2014, Rosetta's lander Philae touched down on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, performing the first landing on a comet.

Artist's conception of Rosetta and Philae at comet
67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Source: Planetary Society

As the Rosetta spacecraft closed in on Churyumov–Gerasimenko, the comet grew from a speck in the sky to a real rock.


The comet seen by the VLT Telescope on August 11, 2014; Source: European Southern Observatory


One of the first images taken by Rosetta’s OSIRIS camera, July 14, 2014; Source: ESA / Wikipedia


Composite image from a distance of 76 miles (123 km), August 5, 2014; Source: ESA / Planetary Society
As the comet approached its perihelion (the closest point to the sun), jet activity became more vibrant.


Equatorial view, May 3, 2015
Source: ESA / Planetary Society


The comet just before perihelion, July 31, 2015
Source: ESA / Planetary Society


Silhouette after perihelion, September 10, 2015
Source: ESA / Planetary Society
While in orbit, Rosetta took some impressive closup images of the comet's surface.


Boulders and blocks from 10 km distance
October 28, 2014; Source: ESA / Planetary Society


Comet landscape from 8 km distance, October 14, 2014
Source: ESA / Planetary Society


Mosaic of Imhotep region from 8.9 km
February 14, 2015; Source: ESA / Planetary Society

Leaving asteroids and comets behind, passing the asteroid belt, we enter the outer solar system, home of four giant planets and over 150 moons.

The first probe to enter this realm was NASA's Pioneer 10, which passed Jupiter on December 3, 1973.

Since then, six other probes have passed Jupiter in gravity assist maneuvers and two probes, Galileo, and Juno have actually entered into orbit around the solar system's largest planet for an extended period of time.


Click here to return to other comets Click here to move on to Jupiter

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