Yesterday, Rosetta released the Philae lander and it successfully reached the surface of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. The lander sent by Rosetta was the first man-made object to touch a comet in history, and the readings it has gathered has made possible the creation of a graphic that can show us how big the comet actually is. Rosetta has been on the trail of the comet for the past ten years, catching up with it in August. Ever since it caught up to the comet, Rosetta managed to send readings to the European Aerospace Center so that we can see how big the comet actually is.
Based on the readings received from Rosetta, Matt Wang created a graphic that actually compares LA to the comet. The artist created a rendition of the comet compared to the city of LA and it looks fierce. Even though data suggests that you could walk across the comet in an hour or so, the sheer size of the comet Rosetta has been following so long is still impressive. The image of the comet was taken by Rosetta prior to the lander being released to rendezvous with the comet. Matt Wang combined the images released by the European Space Agency with a photo of LA and its skyscrapers so that we can get a glimpse of the first comet man can finally analyze. The European Space Agency has a great website where you can monitor the comet and Rosetta and see the vastness of the space they are in.
Matt Wang’s render of the comet photographed by Rosetta next to LA is chilling to look at
Even though the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet is fairly small compared to other celestial objects we know about, a collision with Earth would still be devastating. Scientists have ruled out the possibility of a collision between the comet and Earth, unless unforeseen events occur. By unforeseen events, we mean that accidental collision of the comet with other celestial objects that would change its course. While chances are slim, the very possibility of the comet hitting Earth can send chills down your spine. In any case, Rosetta has launched the lander which has successfully reached the comet. That means that Rosetta and the lander will be following the comet along its journey, which involves passing by the Sun. The comet should become more active at higher temperatures, so readings of how the comet acts should help researchers find out more about comets and celestial objects in general. Scientists also hope that the data Rosetta and the lander gather from the comet will help them determine the secrets of the universe and even prove the theory that life was brought to Earth by comets, billions of years ago.