Earth's true colours (Forwarded)

ESA News
http://www.esa.int

20 November 2007

Rosetta: Earth's true colours

True colour images of Earth as seen by Rosetta's OSIRIS camera are now
available. The pictures were taken on 13 November during the swing-by, and
on 15 November, as Rosetta left on its way to the outer Solar System, after
the swing-by.

After its closest approach to Earth, Rosetta looked back and took a number
of images using the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging
System (OSIRIS) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC). This particular image was
acquired 15 November 2007 at 03:30 CET [0230 UTC].

The image above is a colour composite of the NAC orange, green and blue
filters.

At the bottom, the continent of Australia can be seen clearly.

During the swing-by, OSIRIS observed Earth's night-side.

This image shows a simulated view of Earth as seen from Rosetta's position.

The same view was seen by the OSIRIS Wide Angle Camera (WAC). It is shown in
false colour to emphasise city lights seen at night.

This image was acquired on 13 November 2007 at 20:30 CET [1930 UTC] using
the WAC with a red filter.

[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRYE63R8F_index_1.html ]