Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Opposition surge comet

Opposition surge comet
Opposition surge comet Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko seen by Rosetta OSIRIS with the big lobe in front during a "zero-phase" flyby on April 9-10 with the spacecraft positioned almost exactly between sun and comet (phase angle 0.9 degrees). This unique observing geometry reveals optical characteristics of the surface that cannot be seen otherwise. ESA / Rosetta / MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS / UPD / LAM / IAA / SSO / INTA / UPM / DASP / IDA