ROSETTA FUNDING EXTENDED TO NEXT SEPTEMBER
by Hazed
We were so delighted when we found out that the Philae lander on comet 67P had woken up that we forgot all about the ship that had brought it to its resting place – Rosetta.
Rosetta is continuing to study the comet and is now set to carry on until September next year. Originally the mission was due to end in December this year, but because it’s been so successful funding has been found to extend it for another nine months.
This means scientists will be able to monitor the comet’s activity not just as it approaches the sun, but as it moves away again and heads back to the furthest fringes of the solar system. Its closest approach will be on 13 August.
Matt Taylor, Rosetta’s project scientist, said: “We’ll be able to monitor the decline in the comet’s activity as we move away from the Sun again, and we’ll have the opportunity to fly closer to the comet to continue collecting more unique data. By comparing detailed ‘before and after’ data, we’ll have a much better understanding of how comets evolve during their lifetimes.”
At the end of its life, Rosetta will be sent crashing into the surface of the comet.
Meanwhile, the latest data from Rosetta shows that the comet is starting to develop sinkholes, which scientists think are caused by the ice under the comet’s surface evaporating into space. See the second source link below for more information and pictures.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/23/rip_rosetta_esa_probe/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/07/01/rosetta_spots_potholes_in_space_call_the_galactic_council/
