# Anyone else excited about this Rosetta comet probe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 12, 2014, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411 "2014-11-12T03:11:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/101 "2014-11-13T17:01:09Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > If they can get the drills into the the comet, they could fire the rockets a bit to turn the whole thing, comet and probe, and see if lands facing the sun. Wiki gives the size of the comet as “2.55×1.99×0.81 mi”. Turning that would be asking a lot of a little rocket engine, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/102 "2014-11-13T18:14:20Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Wiki gives the size of the comet as “2.55×1.99×0.81 mi”. Turning that would be asking a lot of a little rocket engine, I think. Even bigger, that’s only the large lobe, added together I come up with roughly 6.5 miles by 2.5 miles by 1.5 miles. So yeah, you’re right, that rocket probably wouldn’t do anything. In my head, this was a little tiny thing. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/103 "2014-11-13T18:22:19Z")
Here’s some [good schematics](http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Measuring_Comet_67P_C-G) on the dimensions of the comet. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/104 "2014-11-13T18:49:26Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Here’s some [good schematics](http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Measuring_Comet_67P_C-G) on the dimensions of the comet. Unless I’m way off, it’s about the size of Manhattan from the tip to Central Park. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/105 "2014-11-13T20:32:56Z")
Are we going to get to see any color images? ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/106 "2014-11-13T21:51:42Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Are we going to get to see any color images? In fact ROLIS (which produced the descent images taken by Philae), CIVA (which made the post-landing suite) and OSIRIS (aboard the Rosetta orbiter) are colour cameras. Here are OSIRIS images of Earth: > **[Rosetta: Earth’s true colours](https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_Earth_s_true_colours)** > > True colour images of Earth as seen by Rosetta’s OSIRIS camera are now available. The pictures were taken on 13 November during the swing-by, and on 15 November, as Rosetta left on its way to the outer Solar System, after the swing-by. And OSIRIS and CIVA images of Mars: > **[Rosetta swings by Mars | Astronomy.com](https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/rosetta-swings-by-mars/)** > > categories:Robotic Spaceflight, Space Exploration | tags:News Consistent with what we saw at Steins, Lutetia, and Itokawa, it’s starting to seem like these bodies are just really gray. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/107 "2014-11-13T22:49:24Z")
If you have a 3D printer (or access to one) you can make a model of the comet. Since Rosetta reached the comet in August it has been mapping the surface while looking for a landing site. The data has been compiled and you can [download the files](http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Shape_model_of_comet), then print your own model. Edit: You can save yourself one click and get the files [here](http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/10/03/measuring-comet-67pc-g/). I wish I had a 3D printer. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/108 "2014-11-13T23:44:57Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Are we going to get to see any color images? What do you think this is? 1972?! > [@Bumbershoot](#): > > If you have a 3D printer (or access to one) you can make a model of the comet. Since Rosetta reached the comet in August it has been mapping the surface while looking for a landing site. The data has been compiled and you can [download the files](http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Shape_model_of_comet), then print your own model. > > Edit: You can save yourself one click and get the files [here](http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/10/03/measuring-comet-67pc-g/). > > I wish I had a 3D printer. I downloaded the .obj and opened it up in Cinema 4D, and the tessellation was pretty low-definition. Not only that, but the “dark” side is completely unmapped, so it’s just a smooth patch over the entire far side. …but it’s still cool! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/109 "2014-11-14T00:59:19Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Are we going to get to see any color images? Would there be any colour? Was there colour on the moon? Serious question. ---
**Author:** ![BOOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/110 "2014-11-14T02:12:04Z")
While the launch was a decade ago, you have to bear in mind almost everything on this trip was designed 20 years ago, inc. cameras and software. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/111 "2014-11-14T03:38:46Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Would there be any colour? Was there colour on the moon? Serious question. Not sure about the comet, but that’s the point of the mission, to find out. The Moon has some colour, I think on Apollo 17 they found a patch of orange soil for example. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/112 "2014-11-14T03:40:54Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > The Moon has some colour, I think on Apollo 17 they found a patch of orange soil for example. ::faints:: ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/113 "2014-11-14T06:39:22Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Not sure about the comet, but that’s the point of the mission, to find out. > > The Moon has some colour, I think on Apollo 17 they found a patch of orange soil for example. > [@levdrakon](#): > > ::faints:: I’m sure the comet has some color. Even if mostly dark gray, there’s subtleties to materials and what have you, in the way they’ll absorb, reflect or refract light. Here’s an [enhanced color image](http://www.princeton.edu/~rvdb/images/NJP/Moon_0002_0003_UM_bright_enhancedColor.jpg) of the moon. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/114 "2014-11-14T07:25:02Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Not sure about the comet, but that’s the point of the mission, to find out. > > The Moon has some colour, I think on Apollo 17 they found a patch of orange soil for example. That was orange cheddar cheese. 😃😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/115 "2014-11-14T10:14:35Z")
Meanwhile, back to the lander, apparently the nitrocellulose they used to fire the harpoons doesn’t work in a vacuum. :smack: Nitrocellulose is the fancy name for gun cotton, which, IIRC, was what they used on Jules Verne From the Earth to the Moon to shoot the projectile/capsule. While I do like Steampunk I think some more modern alternative may had been a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/116 "2014-11-14T11:46:27Z")
My go to place for updates: [https://twitter.com/elakdawalla](https://twitter.com/elakdawalla) The lander and MUPUS (well, their controllers) also tweet, but Emily seems to be on top of it Brian ---
**Author:** ![BOOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/117 "2014-11-14T11:56:47Z")
I wish Emily was on top of ‘it’ … It stoped then started sending signals. They seem to think the lander may have moved - maybe it’s decided on a tan. It’s also drilling. Loving how random this is … ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/118 "2014-11-14T14:38:57Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Meanwhile, back to the lander, apparently the nitrocellulose they used to fire the harpoons doesn’t work in a vacuum. :smack: > > Nitrocellulose is the fancy name for gun cotton, which, IIRC, was what they used on Jules Verne From the Earth to the Moon to shoot the projectile/capsule. While I do like Steampunk I think some more modern alternative may had been a good idea. Why would it not work? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/119 "2014-11-14T14:40:33Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Meanwhile, back to the lander, apparently the nitrocellulose they used to fire the harpoons doesn’t work in a vacuum. :smack: > > Nitrocellulose is the fancy name for gun cotton, which, IIRC, was what they used on Jules Verne From the Earth to the Moon to shoot the projectile/capsule. While I do like Steampunk I think some more modern alternative may had been a good idea. WTH? They didn’t test all the systems in a vacuum before using it on the lander? That’s a weird thing to botch. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411/120 "2014-11-14T15:26:19Z")
> [@BOOM](#): > > Loving how random this is … Kerbal Space Program models reality better than we thought! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-excited-about-this-rosetta-comet-probe/704411.md?page=7)