Latest images of comet Tempel 1 reveal a fragile surface
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 20:30
in Astronomy & Space
Images taken by NASA's Stardust spacecraft show significant changes during Tempel 1's orbit of the sun as well as unexpected layering of the comet's interior. Images of comet Tempel 1 taken by the Stardust spacecraft during its Monday night close encounter suggest that the comet's surface is much more fragile than astronomers had anticipated, with major changes occurring during its 5 1/2-year orbit of the sun, researchers said Tuesday.