Menu
12/11/2014
QUB Astronomers Assist Comet Landing
Astronomers at Queen’s University Belfast are currently assisting the first ever landing by a spacecraft on an icy comet.
At 08:35 this morning, a robotic lander called Philae was released from the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft and is currently decending to the comet.
A successful touchdown signal is expected to be received on Earth at about 16:00, providing the first pictures from a comet’s surface.
Professor Alan Fitzsimmons from the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University and colleagues have spent over ten years studying the comet from Earth and measuring its properties.
The 1.3bn euro Rosetta spacecraft launched in 2004 and has spent ten years manoeuvring to rendezvous with the comet.
Professor Fitzsimmons said: "We have waited over 10 years for this day, but with the comet being over 317 million miles away, all we can do now is cross our fingers and hope.
"The Rosetta mission realises the ambition of mankind to explore our origins, and discover what is out there. It demonstrates that the European Space Agency plays a major role in the scientific exploration of our Solar system, and Queen’s is part of that effort."
Professor Fitzsimmons is to appear on BBC4 on Sunday at 21:00, in a Sky at Night Special programme.
One of the aspects that will be measured is the water ice making up most of the comet. Astronomers believe that comets like that being studied may have delivered all of Earth’s water after its formation, 4.5bn years ago.
A live stream of the operation is available to view here.
(IT/CD)
At 08:35 this morning, a robotic lander called Philae was released from the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft and is currently decending to the comet.
A successful touchdown signal is expected to be received on Earth at about 16:00, providing the first pictures from a comet’s surface.
Professor Alan Fitzsimmons from the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University and colleagues have spent over ten years studying the comet from Earth and measuring its properties.
The 1.3bn euro Rosetta spacecraft launched in 2004 and has spent ten years manoeuvring to rendezvous with the comet.
Professor Fitzsimmons said: "We have waited over 10 years for this day, but with the comet being over 317 million miles away, all we can do now is cross our fingers and hope.
"The Rosetta mission realises the ambition of mankind to explore our origins, and discover what is out there. It demonstrates that the European Space Agency plays a major role in the scientific exploration of our Solar system, and Queen’s is part of that effort."
Professor Fitzsimmons is to appear on BBC4 on Sunday at 21:00, in a Sky at Night Special programme.
One of the aspects that will be measured is the water ice making up most of the comet. Astronomers believe that comets like that being studied may have delivered all of Earth’s water after its formation, 4.5bn years ago.
A live stream of the operation is available to view here.
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 February 2024
22-Year-Old Man Jailed For Rape At Laganside Crown Court
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years for rape at Laganside Crown Court. Ahmad Alsbaihi was sentenced to six years. He will serve three years in custody and three years on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years.
22-Year-Old Man Jailed For Rape At Laganside Crown Court
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years for rape at Laganside Crown Court. Ahmad Alsbaihi was sentenced to six years. He will serve three years in custody and three years on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years.
10 April 2024
Man And Woman Jailed For 'Brutal And Senseless Attack'
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of two people at Laganside Crown Court for a range of offences including grievous bodily harm with intent, threats to kill, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. 26-year-old Dylan Black, from the Lisburn area, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He will serve three years on license.
Man And Woman Jailed For 'Brutal And Senseless Attack'
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of two people at Laganside Crown Court for a range of offences including grievous bodily harm with intent, threats to kill, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. 26-year-old Dylan Black, from the Lisburn area, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He will serve three years on license.
15 March 2024
Gresham Street Building Brought Back Into Use After 20 Years
A vacant property on Gresham Street in Belfast's Smithfield area has been brought back into use after 20 years as independent barbershop, High Society Cut Club opens for business.
Gresham Street Building Brought Back Into Use After 20 Years
A vacant property on Gresham Street in Belfast's Smithfield area has been brought back into use after 20 years as independent barbershop, High Society Cut Club opens for business.
27 February 2024
Four Men Sentenced Over Co Antrim ATM Thefts
Four men have been sentenced in connection with a series of ATM thefts in the County Antrim area over four years ago. The investigation related to a number of ATM thefts between 27th October 2018 and 6th December 2019, including the theft of two cash machines at a supermarket on Castle Way in Antrim.
Four Men Sentenced Over Co Antrim ATM Thefts
Four men have been sentenced in connection with a series of ATM thefts in the County Antrim area over four years ago. The investigation related to a number of ATM thefts between 27th October 2018 and 6th December 2019, including the theft of two cash machines at a supermarket on Castle Way in Antrim.
22 February 2024
Daniel Sebastian Allen Jailed For 29 Years For Murder Of Family Of Four
Daniel Sebastian Allen has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of three people in a deliberate house fire in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, in 2018. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a house, which lead to the death of four people, including a baby girl.
Daniel Sebastian Allen Jailed For 29 Years For Murder Of Family Of Four
Daniel Sebastian Allen has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of three people in a deliberate house fire in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, in 2018. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a house, which lead to the death of four people, including a baby girl.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Winds light and variable in direction. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
