Nicolas Thomas
Space Research and Planetary Sciences Division
Physics Institute
University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
ISSN 0941-7834
ISSN 2196-9698 (electronic)
Astronomy and Astrophysics Library
ISBN 978-3-030-50573-8
ISBN 978-3-030-50574-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50574-5
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the
material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or
the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Cover illustration: Collage of an artist’s impression of a comet seen in the sky, superposed on a precise 3D
shape model of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Rosetta spacecraft (not to
scale) orbiting (ESA, Rhiannon Thomas). The graphic is intended to symbolize the gain in knowledge
(from naked-eye impressions to precise measurements) acquired using modern technology.
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Space Research and Planetary Sciences Division
Physics Institute
University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
ISSN 0941-7834
ISSN 2196-9698 (electronic)
Astronomy and Astrophysics Library
ISBN 978-3-030-50573-8
ISBN 978-3-030-50574-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50574-5
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the
material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or
the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Cover illustration: Collage of an artist’s impression of a comet seen in the sky, superposed on a precise 3D
shape model of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Rosetta spacecraft (not to
scale) orbiting (ESA, Rhiannon Thomas). The graphic is intended to symbolize the gain in knowledge
(from naked-eye impressions to precise measurements) acquired using modern technology.
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland