B.
Eyes on the skies
Behind the scenes
If, like me, you've got a space-mad seven year old in the house, you'll be well aware that the European Space Agency's Rosetta Probe has now made its historic rendevous with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (AKA 'the one shaped like a rubber ducky').
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 3 August 2014 - thanks ESA
In a plan shamelessly ripped off the pages of a Hollywood blockbuster screenplay, Rosetta will follow the comet through the Solar System for two years and then attempt to land a probe on its surface.
Rosetta at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Thanks ESA.
My son is mostly interested in the scientific advances to be gained from our close encounters with comets, but I must admit that my first impression is always of how strangely beautiful they are - see here for images from previous interactions, including Halley's Comet and Comet 9P/Tempel (better known as 'the one they (deliberately) crashed into as part of the Deep Impact mission') and here for some of the latest images Rosetta has sent.
And see below and here for some (vaguely) space-related art from our Collection.
Michael Parekowhai Spaceman Cigarettes 2010. Screenprint. Gifted by Justin Paton, 2013