Science Findings & Summaries

Stardust-NExT NAVCAM Calibration and Performance (2012)
Significant improvements in the calibration of the Stardust-NExT NAVCAM have been realized through the acquisition of new calibration data during the NExT mission as well as reanalysis of prime mission data.
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Photomometry of the Nucleus of Comet 9P /Tempel 1 (2012)
The photometric properties of Tempel 1's nucleus remain the same as derived from the Deep Impact data collected one apparition ago.
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Origin of Pits on 9P/Tempel1 & Geologic Signature of Outbursts (2012)
The origin of the circular pits that are distributed across the surface of comet Tempel 1 in an irregular band following high terrain in Stardust-NExT images is analyzed.
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Examination of the Deep Impact Collision Site on Comet
Tempel 1 (2012)
A detailed study of the Deep Impact collision site on comet 9P Tempel 1 as imaged by the Stardust-NExT spacecraft in February of 2011.
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Deep Impact Crater on 9P/Tempel 1 (2012)
Comparison between clear images of the pre-impact surface (ITS camera on the Deep Impact probe) and the ejection sequence over 15 minutes (Deep Impact flyby) allows inferring the size of the DI crater and its fate.
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Nucleus of Comet 9P/Tempel : Shape & Geology from Two Flybys (2012)
The flyby of comet Tempel 1 by Stardust-NExT on February 14, 2011 revealed new parts of the surface hidden from view of the Deep Impact spacecraft in July 2005.
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Science in Depth

+ Mission Science Objectives
+ Why Study Comet Tempel 1?
+ Mission Results from Deep Impact
+ Stardust Sample Analysis


Science in the News

+ Water Ice Found on Nucleus of Tempel 1
+ First Evidence of Weathering on Comet Wild 2
+ News Archive


Exploring Comets

+ Why Study Comets?
+ Creating Colorful Comets
+ Comets in Ancient Cultures