ESA specialists selected a primary and alternative landing point for the Philae / Rosetta probe on the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Not so long ago on Habré there was published the news that the European Space Agency experts chose five points on the body of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, as possible landing sites for the Philae probe. It is worth recalling that this probe is still located inside the Rosetta space station, and the landing of Philae is scheduled for November 11th.

Today, ESA experts have sent out about choosing a main site for landing on a comet. Option J became this platform ( all variants are marked on the announcement photo).
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J main site



The site was chosen unanimously, it was supported by all experts. Of course, an alternative site was chosen (point C became it), on which the probe would land, if something goes wrong with platform J. Surface of platform C is not very even, there are funnels, and convexities and other elements.

It is worth noting that the main platform is located in the “head” of the comet - its smaller part, and the alternative landing point is on the “body”, most of the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Scientists had to choose from two (or rather, even more) evils less, because none of the sites at 100% does not fit the criteria that experts had previously announced.


The main platform with a detail of 1.2 meters per pixel. The photo was taken on August 20, from a distance of 67 kilometers.


Part of the station Rosetta in the background with the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

At point J, the probe will be able to access the ancient material of the comet, which, after a detailed analysis, will allow scientists to obtain more information about the processes of the formation of comets, and the entire solar system as a whole.

Via esa