Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Definition

Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, also known as 67P, is a periodic comet in the Jupiter family. It was the target of the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, which orbited and landed a probe on its surface in 2014.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Discovered by Klim Ivanovych Churyumov and Svetlana Ivanovna Gerasimenko in 1969.
2. It has an orbital period of approximately 6.45 years.
3. The Rosetta mission provided detailed images and data about its nucleus and coma.
4. 67P has a bilobate shape, meaning it looks like two connected masses.
5. The surface temperature ranges from -180°C to -70°C.

Review Questions

• Who discovered Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko?
• What is the orbital period of Comet 67P?
• What significant space mission studied Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in detail?

Related terms

Rosetta Mission: A European Space Agency mission that studied Comet 67P by orbiting it and landing the Philae probe.

Nucleus (of a comet): The solid core of ice, dust, and rocky material within a comet.

Jupiter Family Comets: A group of comets with short orbital periods influenced by Jupiter's gravity.