We're there, now where do we put the spacecraft? The European Space Agency's Rosetta probe
"I think in the end everyone was happy," says Philae manager Stephan Ulamec. "It's a good compromise we found."
The team has chosen three spots, labelled B, I and J, on the comet's "head", and two on the "body", A and C (see picture). The letters are derived from the original list of 10 sites and do not indicate order of preference. Light levels, visibility from Rosetta and surface conditions all influenced the selection, but none of the sites is perfect.
Each site covers 1 square kilometre, as navigational uncertainties mean it isn't possible to target a more precise area. Site A, in the valley between the comet's head and body, would be interesting scientifically but might prove too challenging due to the complex gravitational pull from both sections. "There is no one single nice big flat area," says Wright.
"It's a bit frightening because the terrains are all difficult," agrees Ulamec. The team will now scrutinise the sites using Rosetta's cameras, and will make a final decision in September. No spacecraft has ever landed on a comet, so there is much to learn.
"The high-resolution images are just incredible," says team member Ian Wright of the Open University in Milton Keynes, UK. "As a human being I can say wow, that would be an amazing place to have a look at."
If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.
