VIRTIS-Rosetta observations of the nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during the Comet Characterisation phase (July-August 2014)

Abstract

The paper will describe the major results obtained during the comet nucleus characterization phase, July-August 2014, of the Rosetta Mission by the instrument VIRTIS (Visible, Infrared and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer), the dual channel spectrometer onboard Rosetta. The nucleus observations in this phase were performed in a wide range of illumination conditions and with spatial sampling varying from the initial 500m down to 20m. VIRTIS covers the spectral range from 0.25 to 5micron with a mapping channel (VIRTIS-M) and the range 2-5micron with a High Spectral Resolution channel (VIRTIS-H). Both channels have been used to generate maps correlated to various properties (temperature, albedo, composition) of the illuminated areas. Special emphasis was placed on mapping those surface regions considered reachable areas for the Philae Lander descent, and to those area in the “neck” of the nucleus which from the very early Osiris observations did show hints of surface outgassing activity.