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  • Deep Impact: Excavating Com...
    A'Hearn, M. F; Belton, M. J. S; Delamere, W. A; Kissel, J; Klaasen, K. P; McFadden, L. A; Meech, K. J; Melosh, H. J; Schultz, P. H; Sunshine, J. M; Thomas, P. C; Veverka, J; Yeomans, D. K; Baca, M. W; Busko, I; Crockett, C. J; Collins, S. M; Desnoyer, M; Eberhardy, C. A; Ernst, C. M; Farnham, T. L; Feaga, L; Groussin, O; Hampton, D; Ipatov, S. I; Li, J.-Y; Lindler, D; Lisse, C. M; Mastrodemos, N; Owen, W. M; Richardson, J. E; Wellnitz, D. D; White, R. L

    Science, 10/2005, Volume: 310, Issue: 5746
    Journal Article

    Deep Impact collided with comet Tempel 1, excavating a crater controlled by gravity. The comet's outer layer is composed of 1- to 100-micrometer fine particles with negligible strength (<65 pascals). Local gravitational field and average nucleus density (600 kilograms per cubic meter) are estimated from ejecta fallback. Initial ejecta were hot (>1000 kelvins). A large increase in organic material occurred during and after the event, with smaller changes in carbon dioxide relative to water. On approach, the spacecraft observed frequent natural outbursts, a mean radius of 3.0 ± 0.1 kilometers, smooth and rough terrain, scarps, and impact craters. A thermal map indicates a surface in equilibrium with sunlight.