4 July humanity bombing Comet may have 4 types of results (photos)

Data: 12 January this year, in the United States, Florida, Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, NASA will impact the "depth" Comet probe launched successfully.

NASA deep impact "Comet" detector simulation map source: NASA.

Data chart: impact of instantaneous and the appearance of impact craters.

12 January 2005, the depth value 3.3 million "hits", the spacecraft was successfully launched in 4.31 million kilometers of space flight, it shall be launched by impinging on 4 July impacting a temple, Comet Comet nucleus. This is unprecedented in human history "bombard" Comet space experiment.

Temple, the Comet is found in 1867, a circle round the Sun run 5.5 years. Has selected it as experimental objects, mainly because of its human beings have 100 years of knowledge, more familiar with it; currently, the Comet is in the middle age period, representative; this Comet can fly to from the earth near place, impact on Earth, after suitable public observation. In addition, it is in a location relative to the appropriate depth of impact, the firing "ammunition" be in a relatively short period of time "hit" it.

At present, human understanding of the Comet is still relatively small, mainly in their understanding of surface material. In 1996, the United States 3 scientist de Latin American, white Northallerton and Hearne to NASA presented the Comet program to uncover the secrets of the Comet inside. In improving the impact of the navigation system, this project is to 1 November 1999.

"Bombard" important hyesung

Comet space experiments have been shelled countdown, press the public concern for astronomers, Chinese Academy of Sciences researcher at the Purple Mountain Observatory conducted an interview with Wang thought.

"Both from a scientific perspective, or from the public appreciation of the level, 4 July ' shelling ' Comet space experiments are of great significance. "Wang thought introduction, this incident was the 1994 collision between the" Comet wood "another astronomical hotspot event, the difference is that the last human on passively observing Jupiter was hit by the" heroic era ", this is humanity go defensive into offensive, take the initiative to Comet. This is the human initiative in full embodiment in the universe.

From a scientific perspective, impact, impact class will carry your camera to the Comet nucleus, take these wonderful photos until "martyred" before the 2 seconds. In the "before" their lives, it has images and data back to the spacecraft. The spacecraft itself also comes with a high-resolution camera and infrared spectrometer and precise observation device, a comet is the safe distance of 500 km-range shooting impingement cupola of the mushroom cloud, record the size of impact craters, depth, shape and internal structure, analysis from Comet nucleus injection material components inside and observed valuable images and data back to Earth.

As the Comet with the solar system's most original material, these images and data to help mankind first unveiled the Comet inner secrets, but also will help uncover the Earth and the origin of the solar system and the mystery of the universe and the origin of life. In addition, these data also to prevent comet impact Earth provides valuable information.

From the public appreciation of perspective, this is the first time the beauty of his own invention, ornamental Theatre is very high. At present, the astronomical event has attracted a large number of amateur astronomers. NASA Web site (www.nasa.gov) in the "front page" with a full-page describes the depth impact space experiment. The world of amateur astronomers have already begun to telescope the Temple a number of comets, the famous "Hubble Space Telescope", "", "Spitzer Space Telescope," Chandra, "space telescope is ready in this unprecedented astronomical events in a thirst.

"Bombard" Comet 4 possible after

Wang thought introduction, "shelling, a researcher at the" Comet is an artificial sky, has not yet occurred before, there are various possibilities.

Wang thought introduction, a temple, the comet's Centre is a diameter of about 6 km of Comet nuclei, Comet nucleus consists of large amounts of water ice and carbon dioxide ice, methane ice substance and material composition of rock dust. 4 July by the depth of impact spacecraft launch 370 kg impact class is like a giant cannon, 10.2 km of Cosmic Velocity rammed the Comet Comet nucleus, explosive energy equivalent of 4.5 tons of high explosives, there are several possibilities.

The first possibility is missed Comet nucleus, the reason for this is that the impact is considerable difficulty, because the spaceship "ammunition" and comets are moving quickly to cosmic velocity, and sport routes and not on the same line, it can be compared to ride horses at dizzying speed, would like to use arrow flying eagle, it is very difficult;

The second possibility is although hit Comet nuclei, but since Comet nucleus hard than anticipated, the play of impact craters and not substance, sputtering out less, Comet zengliang not obvious;

A third possibility is impinging upon explosion pits of no less than 30 metres deep, a football field. Impact is high temperature melts instantly vaporized material produces the Festival Fireworks-like gorgeous spectacle, a large number of the sputtering out dust gas substances so that the Temple a, Comet sparkling and continuous days and even weeks old;

A fourth possibility is that Comet Comet nucleus rather loosely, in intense shelling of disintegration, turned into a few major nuclear, or even all collapsed.

Wang thought that estimates the probability of the third kind. But note that "shelling" occur in far away from Earth 1.3 billion kilometres away, as seen on Earth and the spaceship close observation is very different.

Experts teach you how to observations of comets "bombard"

Wang thought introduction

, It is expected that the artillery shelling the comet will occur at Beijing time 4 July 13: 52 am, shelled 6 months after half an hour the comet will begin to enter our night vision. This is beneficial to the public on shelling out a lot after Jet "Storm" and the observation of the gas clouds of dust.

26 June-9 July, a temple, comets will appear after dark sky, is located in the South and the Jupiter constellation corner Markab nearby. Each night the best observation time from days to just start black to black after two hours. The brightness of a comet impact before about 11, Star, strike the brightness may increase after dozens of times, becomes a star 7, etc. Observations of Comet before shelling, preferably with a diameter of 30 cm above the high-quality telescope. If you want to observe shelling were raging everywhere "after", with 10 cm of Comet more aperture telescope it is possible to observe this Comet. But to take this historic event of the lens, CCD with flexible (electronic detector) is also available on digital cameras, etc.