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This composite image was taken by the navigation camera during the close approach phase of Stardust's Jan 2, 2004 flyby of comet Wild 2. Several large depressed regions can be seen. Comet Wild 2 is about five kilometers (3.1 miles) in diameter.
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Comet Wild 2 - Jet Release

This composite image was taken by the navigation camera during the close approach phase of Stardust's Jan 2, 2004 flyby of comet Wild 2. Several large depressed regions can be seen. Comet Wild 2 is about five kilometers (3.1 miles) in diameter. To create this image, a short exposure image showing tremendous surface detail was overlain on a long exposure image taken just 10 seconds later showing jets. Together, the images show an intensely active surface, jetting dust and gas streams into space and leaving a trail millions of kilometers long.

Image details

ID#:
PIA05578

Date added:
2004-03-18

Target:
Wild 2

Mission:
Stardust

Spacecraft:
Stardust

Instruments:
Stardust Navigation Camera

Size:
2400 x 2400 pixels (width x height)

Rating:



Views:
1,840

Full-Res TIFF:
PIA05578.tif (11.5 MB)

Full-Res JPG:
PIA05578.jpg (0.32 MB)

Image credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech