Joseph Veverka, Cornell University

Return to Comet Tempel 1:  Results from Stardust-NExT

On February 14, 2011 Stardust-NExT flew by Comet Tempel 1, the target of the Deep Impact mission in 2005, obtaining high-resolution images of areas surrounding the 2005 impact site, and extending coverage to almost two thirds of the nucleus surface.  The data reveal Tempel 1 to be a body that has undergone complex geological evolution.  Much of the surface displays evidence of layering:  some related to smooth flows erupted from the interior dating back to the accretion of the nucleus.  The DI impact site shows a subdued impact scar some 50 meters in diameter implying surface properties similar to those of dry, loose snow making Temple 1 an ideal target for a future sample return mission.

Host:  Richard Lovelace