First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

obtained

At 10:03 am CET on Wednesday morning, Phil's landing module separated from the orbiting satellite Rosetta and began its seven-hour fall to the surface of comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

This photo was taken immediately after separation of the system. In the frame you can see one and 14-meter Rosetta solar panels.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

Looking at this photo, taken a few moments after separation, you can see that Phil's chassis has been successfully deployed.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

Another look at the Phil module (shown as a bright dot in the photo). The module descends in the dark after separation. The photo was taken with the OSIRIS wide-angle satellite of Rosette.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

Shortly before landing on the 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet, Phil's panoramic camera Rosetta Lander Imaging System (ROLIS) made this amazing photograph of the landing site. At this time, the module was located at a distance of 3 km (1, 9 miles) from the surface of the comet.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

A few minutes before landing, the ROLIS camera mounted on Phil made this photograph of the dusty surface of the comet. Apparently, several rocks are embedded in soft, dusty regolith.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

Members of the Rosette mission team celebrate Phil's successful landing on the surface of comet 67P at the European Space Center in Darmstadt, Germany on November 12, 2014.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

The Red Cross marks the spot where Phil should have landed. Although the descent vehicle initially landed there, it was unable to attach itself and rebounded, with the result that it sat down a second time at a distance of 1 km from the original landing site.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

The first two images from Phil confirmed that the module was able to land on a comet. In the foreground, you can see one of the three legs of the lander.

First photographs of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Phil's landing module

This is the first panoramic image made on the surface of the comet.

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