Bruce Murray Space Image Library

The Deep Impact Impact onto Tempel 1 as witnessed by XMM-Newton

The Deep Impact Impact onto Tempel 1 as witnessed by XMM-Newton
The Deep Impact Impact onto Tempel 1 as witnessed by XMM-Newton This view is from ESA's XMM-Newton spacecraft. Two channels were used, blue, and ultraviolet. The top three images were taken through the blue channel and show the expansion of the post-impact cloud surrounding the comet. The bottom three images were taken through the ultraviolet channel, in a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum that is sensitive to the presence of the hydroxyl ion, OH-, which is the first direct decay product of water. ESA/MSSL/Optical Monitor team. Image by Charo Gonzales and Pedro Rodriguez, ESAC (Spain)