*Comet * presents the amazing story of the Rosetta space probe and its interstellar voyage to the comet Tchoury. Its mission to find clues to the origins of our solar system and the emergence of life on Earth. Following a ten-year voyage and a journey spanning millions of kilometres through our Sola...

*Comet * presents the amazing story of the Rosetta space probe and its interstellar voyage to the comet Tchoury. Its mission to find clues to the origins of our solar system and the emergence of life on Earth. Following a ten-year voyage and a journey spanning millions of kilometres through our Solar System, the Rosetta entered the comet s orbit. Its lander, Philae a miniature science laboratory landed directly on Tchoury s surface and was able to take the photographs presented here.

This triumph of scientific endeavour brought back a raft of incredible new photographs, the best of which are featured here. The book is built around the various phases in Rosetta s journey: leaving Earth, breaching its atmosphere and watching the lights of home recede; skirting the Moon and coming close to Mars; plunging into the cosmos starry void and approaching the comet; and, finally, landing on Tchoury. The photographs are accompanied by a text that reflects on the objectives of the mission and the accomplishment of such a technological feat for humanity. Detailed captions provide the reader with accessible scientific information, enabling them to get to the heart of the subject.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Launching 2. First Earth Flyby 3. Mars Flyby 4. Second Earth Flyby 5. Asteroid Stein Flyby 6. Third Earth Flyby 7. Asteroid Lutetia Flyby 8. Entering Deep Space Hibernation 9. Exiting Deep Space Hibernation 10. Rendezvous Manouevre 11. Arrival at Comet 12. Philae Landing 13. Nominal Mission End