P33E-02
The Activity of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as Seen by Rosetta/OSIRIS

Wednesday, 16 December 2015: 13:55
3014 (Moscone West)
Holger Sierks, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany, Cesare Barbieri, CISAS - Center for Studies and Activities for Space, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, Philippe L Lamy, Astrophysics Laboratory of Marseilles, Marseilles, France, Rafael Rodrigo, IAA-CSIC, Granada, Spain, Hans Rickman, PAS Space Research Center, Warsaw, Poland, Detlef Koschny, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands and The OSIRIS Team
Abstract:
The Rosetta mission of the European Space Agency arrived on August 6, 2014, at the target comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) is the scientific imaging system onboard Rosetta. OSIRIS consists of a Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) for the nucleus surface and dust studies and a Wide Angle Camera (WAC) for the wide field gas and dust coma investigations.

OSIRIS observed the coma and the nucleus of comet 67P/C-G during approach, arrival, and landing of PHILAE. OSIRIS continued comet monitoring and mapping of surface and activity in 2015 with close fly-bys with high resolution and remote, wide angle observations.

The scientific results reveal a nucleus with two lobes and varied morphology. Active regions are located at steep cliffs and collapsed pits which form collimated gas jets. Dust is accelerated by the gas, forming bright jet filaments and the large scale, diffuse coma of the comet. We will present activity and surface changes observed in the Northern and Southern hemisphere and around perihelion passage.

<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>