The Image NASA Didn't Want to Receive from the Deep Impact Probe | Supercut
Astrum・2 minutes read
Comets have been traditionally seen as celestial omens, but in the last 50 years, humanity has shifted to exploring them. NASA missions like Deep Impact and Stardust have gathered valuable data on comets, their origins, and internal structures, advancing our understanding of these cosmic bodies and the solar system as a whole.
Insights
- Scientists have transitioned from viewing comets as celestial omens to actively studying them through probes and missions, leading to groundbreaking discoveries about comets' nature, origins, and the solar system.
- The innovative use of aerogel in the Stardust probe revolutionized the collection of comet dust samples by slowing down particles without damage, enabling the study of Comet Wild 2's surprising characteristics and the discovery of amino acids, significantly advancing our understanding of comets and their role in the solar system.
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Recent questions
What is the historical significance of comets?
Comets have been historically viewed as celestial visitors, often seen as harbingers of change.
How has the exploration of comets evolved in the last 50 years?
In the last 50 years, the ability to visit comets has shifted from them coming to us to us visiting them.
What were the key objectives of the Deep Impact mission?
The Deep Impact mission aimed to collide with Tempel 1 to create a crater, with the impactor carrying a camera to stream images back to Earth.
What innovative material was used in the Stardust mission to collect comet samples?
Aerogel, made of over 99% air, was used in Stardust to slow down particles without damaging them.
What were the key discoveries made by the Stardust mission?
Stardust collected dust samples from Comet Wild 2 and the interstellar medium for analysis.
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Summary
00:00
Exploring Comets: From Visitors to Voyagers
- Comets have been historically viewed as celestial visitors, often seen as harbingers of change.
- In the last 50 years, the ability to visit comets has shifted from them coming to us to us visiting them.
- Scientists launched probes in 1986 to image Halley’s comet, seeking answers about comets' nature and origins.
- Between 1999 and 2005, two probes were launched to interact with comets in new ways, collecting stardust and crashing into a comet's surface.
- Tempel 1 unexpectedly brought together the Stardust and Deep Impact probes, leading to significant discoveries.
- NASA proposed a plan in 1999 to create a crater in a comet using an impactor spacecraft to understand comets' internal structure.
- Deep Impact, launched in 2005, aimed to collide with Tempel 1 to create a crater, with the impactor carrying a camera to stream images back to Earth.
- Deep Impact faced a minor programming issue after launch but successfully reached Tempel 1, releasing the impactor to crash into the comet.
- The impact on July 4th, 2005, produced a bright flash equivalent to 5 tons of TNT, creating a dust cloud that obscured the impact crater.
- While the mission provided valuable insights, the primary goal of photographing the crater was hindered by the dust cloud, leading to the need for further exploration with the Stardust probe.
13:38
Aerogel in Stardust: Slowing High-Speed Particles
- Scientists needed a solution to reduce the impact of high-speed particles on molecular bonds.
- They decided to use aerogel, a material that reduces speed over a longer distance, similar to an airbag.
- Aerogel, made of over 99% air, was used in Stardust to slow down particles without damaging them.
- Stardust had a tennis-racket sized aerogel collector tray with 90 blocks of aerogel 3cm thick.
- Stardust collected dust samples from Comet Wild 2 and the interstellar medium for analysis.
- The Sample Return Capsule on Stardust was 0.8x0.5m, weighed 45kg, and had a parachute for reentry.
- Stardust also had a navigation camera, dust analyser, and other scientific devices onboard.
- Stardust launched in 1999, passed an asteroid, and reached Comet Wild 2 in 2004.
- Comet Wild 2 surprised scientists with its active surface and lack of craters.
- Stardust collected samples from Comet Wild 2, proving it originated from our solar system and contained amino acids.
27:37
Dynamic Changes on Tempel 1; EPOXI Mission
- Tempel 1's surface showed signs of dynamic change, with three merged pits and a cliff face eroded back 20-30 meters, prompting scientific curiosity about their formation.
- Deep Impact's successful mission led to a new endeavor named EPOXI in 2007, where it explored other comets, capturing hundreds of thousands of photos before losing contact in 2013, significantly advancing our knowledge of comets and the solar system.
