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Comet 46P/Wirtanen

© T. Credner, K. Jockers, T. Bonev, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Pik Terskol Observatory
highres version

Date:11.3.1997 Time:16:42 UT Exposure:10m, 30m
Field of View:6.2' x 4.7' Receiver:5122 + (576x387) CCD Filter:RX, IF 390
Instrument: D=2m, f=5.6m Observatory: Pik Terskol, Caucasus Observer: T. Credner, K. Jockers, T. Bonev


Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie

This comet was selected as target for ESA's Rosetta mission. The spacecraft was launched in March 2004, however, after postponement of the initial launch the final destiny did change to Comet 67 P/Churyumov- Gerasimenko. It will be the very first landing on a cometary nuclei to make in situ measurements of the surface. To characterize the comet and set constraints on the spacecraft and experiment design, observations were carried out at Pik Terskol Observatory.

See also the three color version of the image with extreme color separation and further scientific description.

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics article 1998A&A...335L..56J based on the above data.