Rosetta Probe

[Eric Mc]

The explanations they were giving were what was assumed 20 plus years ago.

With the discovery of lots of new planets around other stars - especially Hot Jupiters (Jupiter style planets close to their parent star), the assumption that gas giants can only form beyond a certain distance from the star does seem to be not 0100% correct.

[FunkyNige]

If you want to see what temperature various bits of Rosetta are, you can take a look with only a short delay
http://www.musc.dlr.de/philae/telemetrie.html

[CrutyRammers]

Less than 2 days to go

Coverage starts tomorow at 7pm.
Good timeline of the approach and landing plan here: http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/11/07/rosetta-an.... Separation scheduled for 09:03 on wednesday.

[LordGrover]

[FurtiveFreddy]

I'm excited

[Mr Trophy]

Sorry if this has already been asked. Seen when it "collects" what it needs, then leaves, how long will it take to get back to Earth?

[outnumbered]

Mr Trophy said:

Sorry if this has already been asked. Seen when it "collects" what it needs, then leaves, how long will it take to get back to Earth?

It doesn't come back - it analyses the samples on site.

[Mr Trophy]

outnumbered said:

It doesn't come back - it analyses the samples on site.

Now that's impressive.

[Nimby]

Mr Trophy said:

outnumbered said:

It doesn't come back - it analyses the samples on site.

Now that's impressive.

Coming back to earth would be more impressive.

[tight fart]

Nimby said:

Coming back to earth would be more impressive.

[tight fart]

Nimby said:

Coming back to earth would be more impressive.

[MrCarPark]

Live coverage here:

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/362/events/3544...

41,000 viewers already!

[LordGrover]

Dead handy pop out screen too.

[Eric Mc]

Mr Trophy said:

outnumbered said:

It doesn't come back - it analyses the samples on site.

Now that's impressive.

The Surveyor lunar landers analysed lunar soil on site in 1966.

We have had the ability to carry out soil sampling and analysis on other bodies in the solar system for almost 50 years and the technology available has improved immensely in that of time. Obviously, each target has its own separate challenges.

[LordGrover]

Are the timings based on when it's actually happening, or c. 28 minutes later so we see it in 'live'?

[Eric Mc]

Not sure. Obviously, there is a time delay between the probe transmitting data and the information arriving at earth. It's 300 million miles away.

[MartG]

Philae has now safely separated from Rosetta

[MartG]

LordGrover said:

Are the timings based on when it's actually happening, or c. 28 minutes later so we see it in 'live'?

Timings above are when signal reaches Earth

[MrCarPark]

MartG said:

LordGrover said:

Are the timings based on when it's actually happening, or c. 28 minutes later so we see it in 'live'?

Timings above are when signal reaches Earth

So separation was actually 28 minutes ago and the arrival of the confirmation signal is what they're celebrating

[Mr Trophy]

For the non space like people (me)

Is it that far away it takes 28 minutes to confirm what's happened?