First image from the surface of a comet

When Philae landed on 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 12 November 2014 it carried an array of scientific instruments, including an alpha particle X-ray spectrometer, a gas chromatograph and a magnetometer. It also carried an array of cameras known as the Comet Nucleus Infrared and Visible Analyser (CIVA), which were designed to capture 360 panoramas of the landing site. Philae’s landing, which left it in shadow and tilted, made a full 360 panorama impossible. The first image released, on 13 November 2014, was a mosaic from two of the CIVA cameras, clearly showing the cliff face Philae had landed next to, as well as part of the lander itself.

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