Rosetta and Philae separation confirmed

The Philae lander separated from the Rosetta orbiter on the 12 November 2014, and became the first spacecraft to touch down on a comet - a comet over 300 million miles away from earth. The spacecraft had been launched ten years earlier - in 2004.

It is hoped that data from the comet will provide information on how the solar system looked like 4.5bn years ago. Scientists also want to investigate more the hypothesis that the earth's water originated from comets.

However, celebrations were tempered by the later discovery that the probe’s two harpoons had not fired to fasten the craft down in the ultra-low gravity.

ESO: Background information: Rosetta probe starts search for landing spot http://www.europeansources.info/record/rosetta-probe-starts-search-for-landing-spot/

Spiegel Online International, 11.11.14: Fantastic Voyage: Europe Prepares First Comet Landing http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/rosetta-comet-landing-could-teach-us-about-life-on-earth-a-1002222.html

BBC News, 12.11.14: Probe makes historic comet landing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30026398

ESA: Missions: Rosetta http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta

The Conversation, 12.11.14: Rosetta mission live: Philae lands on comet https://theconversation.com/rosetta-mission-live-philae-lands-on-comet-34098

The Conversation: Tag: Rosetta https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/rosetta

EUObserver, 13.11.14: European probe lands on comet 500 million km from earth http://euobserver.com/news/126499

EurActiv, 13.11.14: European Space Agency achieves landmark encounter with comet http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/european-space-agency-achieves-landmark-encounter-comet-309971

The Guardian, 13.11.14: Philae lander makes historic touchdown on comet http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/12/rosetta-mission-philae-historic-landing-comet

The Conversation, 12.11.14: How Rosetta made an epic journey through space and overcame incredible challenges http://theconversation.com/how-rosetta-made-an-epic-journey-through-space-and-overcame-incredible-challenges-34162

The Conversation, 12.11.14: Scientists at work as Philae lands: from Rosetta mission control http://theconversation.com/scientists-at-work-as-philae-lands-from-rosetta-mission-control-34152

Deutsche Welle, 13.11.14: Rosetta probe Philae declared 'stable' http://dw.de/p/1DmD0

The Guardian, 13.11.14: Juncker axes Europe's chief scientific adviser http://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2014/nov/13/juncker-axes-europes-chief-scientific-adviser

Deutsche Welle, 12.11.14: With Rosetta, ESA succeeds in historic comet landing http://dw.de/p/1Dm6Z

Euronews, 12.11.14: Rosetta’s Philae lands on comet 67P and enters the history books http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/12/esa-lands-probe-on-comet/

The Guardian, 12.11.14: Rosetta comet landing: everything you need to know http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/12/why-is-the-rosetta-comet-landing-so-exciting

The Conversation, 13.11.14: Small glitches, but Rosetta comet mission is achieving major scientific goals https://theconversation.com/small-glitches-but-rosetta-comet-mission-is-achieving-major-scientific-goals-34228

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