• Question: Did you contribute to the comet landing?

    Asked by Rachel02 to Helen, Hugh, Julian on 20 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Julian Onions

      Julian Onions answered on 20 Nov 2014:


      No – I didn’t – I know a couple of people involved, but I just watched like everyone else with my fingers crossed!

    • Photo: Hugh Osborn

      Hugh Osborn answered on 20 Nov 2014:


      No, but I wish I had!

      I did have a project a few years ago about the release of Sodium atoms from comets, which occasionally form these straight yellow tails. Hopefully Philae and Rosetta will help us understand how that happens!

    • Photo: Helen Johnson

      Helen Johnson answered on 21 Nov 2014:


      Hi Rachel! No I wasn’t involved in the comet landing, but I thought it was incredible that we managed to land something on a comet hurtling through space at 84,000 mph! I really hope it inspires a lot of people 🙂 We’ve already got tons of useful information back from Philae, and Rosetta will continue to orbit the comet as it approaches the Sun. Should be interesting.

Comments