Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
After Hours

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

By Andy Smith February 15, 2011, 9:41 PM PST

Image
1
of 12

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntIt’s about 587 trillion miles away but NASA has managed to visit comet Tempel 1 not once – but twice within the past six years. You may recall that Tempel 1 was first visited on July 4, 2005 when the spacecraft Deep Impact sent a probe that exploded on its surface. 

n

ntNow, Stardust NExT sped within 112 miles of the comet to see what changes, if any, the explosion made to its surface.  This photo was taken on Feb. 14, 2011 at 8:39 p.m. PST and received on Feb. 15, 2011.

n

ntCredit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntComet Tempel 1 as Stardust NExT passed it by.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntA little farther away.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntThis image was taken just before its closest encounter.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntHere’s an artist’s image of what Stardust NExT might have looked like as it approached Comet Tempel 1.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntWhen we last viewed Tempel 1 on July 4, 2005, it looked like this.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntThis is what Deep Impact’s flyby spacecraft saw 50 minutes after its probe collided with Comet Tempel 1.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntHere’s a group of photos showing the impact from the probe sent by Deep Impact.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntThis map of comet Tempel 1 was made by scaling images taken by the NASA probe Deep Impact to about 5 yards per pixel. Arrows a and b point to large, smooth regions and the impact site is indicated by the third large arrow. NASA scientists say the comet’s surface is weaker than a snow bank.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntNew photo of Comet Tempel 1 as seen by Stardust NExT.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntComet Tempel 1 as first spotted by Stardust NExt.

NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

ntNASA’s last comet encounter was with Hartley 2. NASA said analysis of the photos taken by its EPOXI spacecraft on Nov. 4, 2010 show about 1-inch to 1-foot particles of snow shooting from the comet’s surface.

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)

    Your email has been sent

Share: NASA returns to comet it attacked (photos)
Image of Andy Smith
By Andy Smith
  • Account Information

    Contact Andy Smith

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Andy's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×