Wild 2
Date: 2 Jan 2004

This composite image was taken by the Stardust navigation camera during the close approach phase of the spacecraft's 2 January 2004 flyby of comet Wild 2.


Several large depressed regions can be seen. Comet Wild 2 is about five km (3.1 miles) in diameter. To create this image, a short exposure image showing tremendous surface detail was overlain on a long exposure image taken just 10 seconds later showing jets. Together, the images show an intensely active surface, jetting dust and gas streams into space and leaving a trail millions of kilometers long.


Last Update: 5 Jul 2011 (AMB)

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech