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Deep Impact

Deep Impact. First look inside a comet. Dr. Paul Roche Faulkes Telescope Project Cardiff University. Overview. Intro to Deep Impact Comets in history The modern comet Why study them? Deep Impact mission summary. Comets in history. Isaac Newton, 1680. The Modern Comet.

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Deep Impact

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  1. Deep Impact First look inside a comet Dr. Paul Roche Faulkes Telescope Project Cardiff University

  2. Overview • Intro to Deep Impact • Comets in history • The modern comet • Why study them? • Deep Impact mission summary

  3. Comets in history

  4. IsaacNewton, 1680

  5. The Modern Comet “Dirty snowballs” Nucleus Coma Tails : dust, gas Water + molecules

  6. Why study comets? • Formation of Solar system • Impacts and mass extinctions • Life in the universe?

  7. Solar System History >4.6 Gy dark cloud Hadean Oceans + rocks form ~4.4 Gy ago Planets accrete Late planetary bombardment Comets bring water + organics Archean Oldest life on Earth 3.5-3.8 Gy ago

  8. Death of the Dinosaurs

  9. Climate & Civilisation Tree-rings & ice-cores “Extreme climatic downturns” • 2345 BC Bronze Age • 1628 BC • 1159 BC • 540 AD Dark Ages Dragon myths?

  10. Deep Impact MissionSummary

  11. Comet Uncertainties • Density? • What lies beneath surface? • Chemistry? • Aging processes?

  12. Comet Aging • Build up of surface dust • Lower albedo • Large grains cannot leave • Uneven surface  jets • Non gravitational acceleration

  13. Mission Profile • Primary Goal • Differences between interior and surface • Pristine Solar System material • Secondary Goal • Cratering physics • Assess comet impact hazard • Calibrate crater record • Comet evolution • Geocentric Dist 0.89 AU • Heliocentric Dist 1.49 AU • 360 kg impactor • 10.2 km/s

  14. Approach & Encounter Impactor Release E-24 hours AutoNav Enabled E-2 hr ITM-1 Start E-88 min ITM-2 E-48 min ITM-3 E-15 min Tempel-1 Nucleus 2-way S-band Crosslink 500 km Flyby S/C Deflection Maneuver E-23.5 hr Science and Autonav Imaging to Impact + 800 sec Shield Mode Attitude through Inner Coma TCA + TBD sec

  15. Spacecraft Overview Instruments MRI, ITS, HRI

  16. Launch 12/1/05& First Light

  17. Flyby Simulation

  18. Ground Science • Dust / Gas evolution • Education & Public Outreach program • Nucleus size and albedo • Nucleus rotation • Dust scattering properties

  19. Summary • Deep Impact mission – live and exciting science • Studying properties of comets • First views “below surface” • FTN will participate in scientific research programme • Opportunities for schools involvement

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