Wow! Incomprehensible.
Rosetta had to go 4 billion miles to catch that comet. The speed and accuracy are incredible.
It does boggle the mind. Well done.
Apparently its harpoons to secure it have failed and the lander bounced back off. They're waiting to see what's going on.
That's too bad, still a hell of an accomplishment. The images of the comet up close have been incredible.
Seems like nothing fatal happened to their mission. There's some details here
https://newscientist.creatavist.com/rosetta#chapter-132425
Sounds like it bounced around for two hours and ended up in a whole, but it still is getting some sun light to power its solar panels.
Philae: The Biggest Jump Ever (http://blog.wolfspelz.de/2014/11/philae-biggest-jump-ever.html)
Has this been big news in the US? I always wonder whether european achievements get as much attention over there.
I haven't watched the news on TV in the last several weeks but there has been plenty of web & NPR news about it and my kids learned about it at school, so yes, I think it has been a big deal here.
Also, I've heard Americans use the term "we" when talking about it, like "we've landed on a comet". We're looking at it as an accomplishment for humanity.
>Has this been big news in the US?
Yeah, but I can only comment on US internet as I don't subscribe to any print.
>"We"
That kind of galls me. I see some threads & headlines which talk about NASA's involvement some, but I guess WE is the humanity angle. I think this has been a minor 'Sputnik Moment' for the US. Good for ESA!!
I don't watch US TV news much, but CNN was covering this when I was in McDonalds for breakfast the other day.
I do try and catch Deutche Welle news on TV and their coverage has been good. There has also been extensive coverage on NPR, Internet and print.
It's been getting coverage in Canada too, with lots of pictures. If there was "we" wording it didn't sink in.
Just in case you missed the news:
http://www.ibtimes.com/comet-landing-2014-rosetta-probe-philae-discovers-organic-molecules-report-1725228
Philae found an organic compound -- that's a pretty big deal.
wow. panspermia? religions might have a hard time with this.
time for the bookies to pay out on life elsewhere
> religions might have a hard time with this
My reaction, too. Don't look for a big story on Fox.