The ESA's Comet as compared to a couple of US cities

[Ichingcarpenter]

Last edited Sun Aug 10, 2014, 12:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Raleigh North Carolina





New York City
this one is suppose to be true color
the thing is really dark


Here's a numeric comparison of some reflectivities:
Comet Borrelly: 3%
Comet Halley: 4%
Fresh asphalt: 4%
Worn asphalt : 12%
Moon: 12%
Grass: 25%
It looks like 67P is also around the 4% mark.
In fact their darkness is what helps comets produce their tails. By being very dark they absorb more sunlight and this causes enough heat for ice and other material inside them to heat up enough to become gas.







Over Boulder Co.

[Callmecrazy]

1. FWIW:

The reflectivity of a celestial body is called the albedo.
Earth's albedo is 30-35%.
Interesting pictures, thanks.