Deep Impact projectile released

[Greg Bryant]

The impactor that will hit Comet Tempel 1 in less than 24 hours was successfully released from the "mother ship" earlier today.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2005-108

[h0ughy]

don't you just love the net. all this information at the touch of a button. Thanks for the heads up Greg

[toetoe]

It`s wait and see time now..

[Greg Bryant]

We're lucky that the Impactor's trajectory can be adjusted slightly en route to the comet (astronomers have been refining the comet's position in recent weeks to improve the positioning of the impactor).

I'm just glad that we're this close. Three years ago, a probe (CONTOUR) was launched that would have flown by a few comets. Unfortunately, it broke up shortly after it left Earth orbit. So far, so good, with this one.

[toetoe]

Fingers crossed for a successful impact.

[seeker372011]

Here's an Aussie telescope -(from Bathurst) -feeding images to the web every 60 seconds

http://black-hole-net.mit.csu.edu.au/telescope/resources/deepimpact.asp

[slice of heaven]

I think its only a 12" that one at Bathurst.

[iceman]

What if it misses? Flies straight by? :)

What a disappointment that would be :) Looking forward to seeing the coverage this arvo, I might have to head home a bit early cause normally i'd be in transit at that time.

[tornado33]

Watching Nasa TV online now, all seems well, the impactor is even carrying out autonomous manouvering as it lines itself up for impact, moving a few microradians here and there. Its exciting stuff, I just hope the cloud clears tonight to allow me to take images of the comet when it gets dark.
can see near real time images here http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/images.html
Scott

[ving]

thanks for the heads up... :)

do you think the impactor uses the "straw method" to manouver? ;)

[Thiink]

Yep, 12" LX-200. I've seen the thing in the flesh, he has an impressive setup.

Lets hope the clouds around here stay away.

[acropolite]

Ving said I suspect so, but they'll probably never admit it....:P