Comet Tempel 1 Infrared Spectra

Preliminary results from mid-infrared (11.6 micron) spectra taken at the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea of post-impact Comet Tempel 1 have revealed the presence of silicates or rocky material exposed by the impact. One of the co-investigators on the research team, David Harker, said, "in addition to brightening by a factor of 4, the characteristics of the mid-infrared light was like a chameleon and within five minutes of the collision it looked like an entirely new object." The image above shows false-color, mid-infrared images of Comet Tempel 1 ten minutes before impact (left), three hours after impact (middle), and 24 hours after impact (right).