Comet Encke,Spitzer Space Telescope infrared image. Encke is a comet discovered in 1819,with orbital period of 3.3 years. Because of their age and pristine composition,data collected on comets like this helps our understanding of the formation of the Earth. Due to Encke's relatively short orbital period,most of its fine particles have been lost in dust trails. Analysis of the larger particles,which boil off the nucleus as it passes the sun,help scientists model the physics of ejection from the rotating nucleus | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / NASA |
Taille de l’image : | 2600 px × 2590 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |