Rosetta Target is Contact Binary

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Some nice new pictures here of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from the Rosetta probe, clearly showing that the nucleus is a contact binary.

Only another three weeks or so before it enters orbit.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very interesting.

[John]

This is going to be a fascinating encounter 

I wonder if this is two objects of differing compositions that have come together or ones that share similar characteristics ?.

I'm sure they are re-assessing their encounter tactics to get the most from this opportunity.

[AndyWB]

As I saw someone say on Twitter "It's a rubber duck!"

[John]

As I saw someone say on Twitter "It's a rubber duck!"

Looks a bit like one of Dave Listers smelly old Moon Boots to me !

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Looks a bit like one of Dave Listers smelly old Moon Boots to me !

Worryingly plausible, judging from this.

[Laurie61]

Just an update with the latest pic's   

Europe's Rosetta probe has acquired new images of the comet it is chasing through space.

Surface details of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko are becoming visible, as the craft nears its quarry.

The images confirm it may be not one but two objects joined together; a smaller "head" connected to a larger "body".

The latest images suggest the "neck" of the comet is of particular interest to scientists.

"The only thing we know for sure at this point is that this neck region appears brighter compared to the head and the body of the nucleus," 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28460702