This time-lapse sequence of 20 images, taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, reveals the dramatic effects from a collision early July 4 between comet 9P/Tempel 1 and an 820-pound probe released by the Deep Impact spacecraft. The Deep Impact probe smacked the comet at 1:52 a.m. EDT. The collision kicked up dust from the comet’s surface. The image sequence begins by showing the comet just before the impact and then follows the expanding debris for 19 hours after the collision. The final four images show a developing fan of dust, which is traveling at about 450 miles an hour (720 kilometers an hour). The fan of debris is about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) across.
Acknowledgement:
*Credit:* NASA [ http://www.nasa.gov/], ESA [ http://www.spacetel…], P. Feldman (Johns Hopkins University), H. Weaver (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), and G. Bacon (STScI [ http://www.stsci.ed…]) Selected still images from this video: (click to enlarge): [ http://hubblesite.o…] [ http://hubblesite.o…] [ http://hubblesite.o…]
Fast Facts:
Technical facts about this news release: Deep Impact Space Probe Collides With Comet Comet 9P/Tempel 1 Pre- and Post-Impact Images — July 4, 2005 STScI-PRC05-17a About the Object Object Name: 9P/Tempel 1 Object Description: Periodic Comet Distance: The comet was approximately 0.91AU (136 million km, 85 million miles) from Earth and approximately 1.51AU (224 million km, 139 million miles) from the Sun at the time of these exposures. About the Data Data Description: The Hubble image was created from HST data from proposals 10456: P. Feldman (Johns Hopkins University), M. A’Hearn (University of Maryland), M. Belton (National Optical Astronomy Observatories), K. Meech (University of Hawaii), H. Weaver (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory). Instrument: ACS/HRC Exposure Date: July 4, 2005 Filter: F606W (“V”) About the Image Image Credit: NASA, ESA, P. Feldman (Johns Hopkins University) and H. Weaver (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) Release Date: July 4, 2005 Hubble Images Comet Tempel 1 Just Before Deep Impact Probe Arrives Comet 9P/Tempel 1 Pre-Impact Image — June 30, 2005 STScI-PRC05-17b About the Object Object Name: 9P/Tempel 1 Object Description: Periodic Comet Distance: The comet was approximately 0.86AU (129 million km, 80 million miles) from Earth and approximately 1.51AU (224 million km, 139 million miles) from the Sun at the time of these exposures. Dimensions: The comet’s nucleus is approximately 5-6 km (3-4 mi) in diameter. It is not resolved in the HST images. About the Data Data Description: The Hubble image was created from HST data from Hubble Heritage proposal 10095: K. Noll (STScI), P. Royle (STScI), P. Feldman (JHU), L. McFadden (University of Maryland), H. Weaver (JHU APL), H. Bond (STScI), C. Christian (STScI), L. Frattare (STScI) Z. Levay (STScI), F. Hamilton (CSC/STScI), A. Lubenow (STScI), M. Mutchler (STScI) and W. Januszewski (STScI). Instrument: ACS/WFC Exposure Date(s): June 30, 2005 Exposure Time: 34.5 minutes Filters: F435W (“B”), F625W (“r”) About the Image Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Release Date: July 4, 2005 Dimensions: The image is 3.1 arcminutes wide, approximately 120,000 km (74,000 mi) at the distance to the comet. Orientation: Hubble Images Comet Tempel 1 Just Before Deep Impact Probe Arrives [ http://imgsrc.hubbl…]
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*Release Date*:July 4, 2005 04:00 AM (EDT)
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*Title*:Hubble Captures Deep Impact’s Collision with Comet
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*News Release Number:*: STScI-2005-17d
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Deep Impact
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Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
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June 30, 2005
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Running Time:
5 seconds
UID:
SPD-HUBBLE-STScI-200 5-17d
original url:
http://hubblesite.o…
Release Date:
July 4, 2005 04:00 AM (EDT)
Image ID:
114639
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Tags: galaxy, Hubble Captures Deep Impact's Collision with Comet, nasa, photo, space, star, Universe

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