Just hours ago, the European Space Agency's spacecraft snapped a photo of the comet and sent it to Earth

Nov 13, 2014 15:43 GMT  ·  By

Yesterday, November 12, a spacecraft landed on a comet for the first time ever. Thus, it was at 16:03 GMT (17:03 CET) that the European Space Agency received confirmation that Philae had made it to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Shortly after landing, Philae got busy snapping photos of the comet that is now its home. Its very first picture reached Earth just a few hours ago. The photo, available below and also included in the gallery, shows one of the lander's feet and part of its target comet.

As detailed by the European Space Agency, the spacecraft has enough battery left to keep up and running for about 30 more hours. However, should it manage to put its rechargeable secondary battery to work, it could remain operational until March, 2015.

The lander Philae left Earth about a decade ago, on March 2, 2004. It was carried all the way to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by the Rosetta spacecraft, which managed to place itself in the celestial body's orbit earlier this year, on August 6.

Regardless of whether or not the lander will manage to survive more than a couple of days on the comet, the Rosette spacecraft will continue to stalk the celestial body for several more months. Thus, the spacecraft is expected to orbit the comet for about a year and a half.

During this time, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft and the comet will travel together through space, heading for the Sun. While on this journey, Rosetta will closely observe Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and collect data about its makeup and behavior.

Photo shows Philae's new home on its target comet
Photo shows Philae's new home on its target comet

Philae sends photo of its target comet to Earth (5 Images)

Photo shows Philae's new home on its target comet
The surface of the comet pictured during landingRosetta photo shows Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
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