2014 MU69 "Ultima Thule" flyby, For discussion of the encounter as it happens |
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2014 MU69 "Ultima Thule" flyby, For discussion of the encounter as it happens |
 Jan 2 2019, 08:28 PM
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#201
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Senior Member  Group: Members Posts: 1585 Joined: 14-October 05 From: Vermont Member No.: 530  |
A couple notes from when they discuss this image versus the best to come.
This image was ~50k km range 1hr to closest approach. It is 28k pixels with a resolution of 140m/pixel. CA06 observation yet to come hopefully delivers 1M pixels at 35m/pixel. Another presser tomorrow with perhaps better topography. Not sure when CA06 coming. |
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Jan 2 2019, 08:38 PM
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#202
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 423 Joined: 13-November 14 From: Norway Member No.: 7310 |
When I look at the highest-resolution picture, I see many arcuate shapes. I bet on many craters visible in the more topography-friendly images.
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Jan 2 2019, 08:41 PM
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#203
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 Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 98 Joined: 30-November 05 From: Antibes, France Member No.: 594 |
Have there been several contacts between the bodies?
Apparently, at first sight, the relatively circular shape of the contact area implies that the crash trajectory must have been roughly perpendicular to the surface of the bigger rock or object (volume about 3 times higher according to Alan Stern). QUOTE (machi @ Jan 2 2019, 09:20 PM)  Denoised version with more subtle colors. |
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Jan 2 2019, 08:48 PM
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#204
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 120 Joined: 26-May 15 From: Rome - Italy Member No.: 7482 |
For superstition I did not to see the new images. Now I ask you: how much had you thought you was surprised by Ultima from 1 to 10 and how much you actually were (from 1 to 10)? many Thanks
(I see new image after yours reply  I with my hand have covered the images above  )
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Jan 2 2019, 08:51 PM
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#205
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
QUOTE (machi @ Jan 2 2019, 11:20 PM) Denoised version with more subtle colors. If I understand this correctly, that image of MU69 was taken from the distance of 28.000 km, and closest flyby was at 3500 km at its closest. That means that image taken at closest approach should be about 8 times the resolution of what we are seeing now? BTW you guys are AWESOME!!!! -------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
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Jan 2 2019, 08:55 PM
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#206
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 98 Joined: 30-November 05 From: Antibes, France Member No.: 594 |
7/10 A first for sure!
QUOTE (Daniele_bianchino_Italy @ Jan 2 2019, 09:48 PM) For superstition I did not to see the new images. Now I ask you: how much had you thought you was surprised by Ultima from 1 to 10 and how much you actually were (from 1 to 10)? many Thanks (I see new image after yours reply ���� ) |
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Jan 2 2019, 09:47 PM
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#207
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 444 Joined: 1-July 05 From: New York City Member No.: 424 |
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Jan 2 2019, 09:49 PM
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#208
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 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4251 Joined: 17-January 05 Member No.: 152 |
QUOTE (dtolman @ Jan 2 2019, 08:05 PM) Wow - so it really was a contact binary - believe that's another first for a probe! First unambiguous one? There are also 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and 25143 Itokawa as potential contact binaries. |
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Jan 2 2019, 10:15 PM
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#209
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Member Group: Members Posts: 282 Joined: 18-June 04 Member No.: 84 |
QUOTE (machi @ Jan 2 2019, 08:20 PM) Denoised version with more subtle colors. Maybe a large crater on the smaller lobe? |
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Jan 2 2019, 10:16 PM
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#210
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 714 Joined: 3-January 08 Member No.: 3995 |
Which side was imaged during closest approach?
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Jan 2 2019, 10:24 PM
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#211
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Member Group: Members Posts: 137 Joined: 16-June 15 Member No.: 7507 |
QUOTE (fredk @ Jan 2 2019, 08:49 PM) First unambiguous one? There are also 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and 25143 Itokawa as potential contact binaries. As mentioned in the conference, what's exciting about this is that this is a "primitive" contact binary, whereas bodies like 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and 25143 Itokawa - if they are contact binaries - are evolved. Ultima Thule could prove key to understanding such bodies - whether they actually are originated as contact binaries, and if so, how they evolved from there to their current forms. |
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Jan 2 2019, 10:24 PM
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#212
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 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1089 Joined: 19-February 05 From: Close to Meudon Observatory in France Member No.: 172 |
QUOTE (xflare @ Jan 2 2019, 11:15 PM) Maybe a large crater on the smaller lobe? I would rather refer to hollows, bumps and wrinkles on such a primitive body like this one, if I may say... |
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Jan 2 2019, 10:45 PM
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#213
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 23 Joined: 28-September 17 From: Huntsville, Alabama Member No.: 8258 |
Toma - In the press conference they said 35 m/px will be the highest resolution , so 4x today's image.
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Jan 2 2019, 10:50 PM
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#214
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 23 Joined: 28-September 17 From: Huntsville, Alabama Member No.: 8258 |
I've wondered if some of the apparent bumps are remnants of previously accreted smaller bodies. But I realize that topography may require low sun angle images.
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Jan 2 2019, 10:54 PM
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#215
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 13-November 15 Member No.: 7840 |
My first analysis highlighted three possible craters...
Attached thumbnail(s)
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