Shortly after bouncing down, the lander Philae reported it was alive and well on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. But it may be perched on top of a cliff or chasm at the
edge of forever:
While it was touching down, the lander bounced twice -- almost as if the comet were a trampoline. The first bounce lasted almost two hours and took the lander about two-thirds of a mile above the comet's surface. The second bounce was smaller and lasted just a few minutes, said Stephan Ulamec, the Philae landing manager. The craft's harpoons failed to attach it to the surface after touchdown Wednesday but it's now stable, scientists said. ... Scientists also said Philae landed with two legs on the ground and one foot in the vaccuum of space during its final touchdown. Ulamec said the lander has the capability to make a little "hop" on the surface, which could help it get into a better position but the maneuver would be risky and it is not likely ESA will try it.
The picture is hard to get a bead on, because 67P has two lobes. The camera appears to be looking toward the "neck" connecting the two halves with the other lobe hanging above. It would be a weird place to stand. Even in the comet's microgravity, roughly one one-hundredth of Earth normal, our terrestrial senses might insist the overhanging 'comet-scape' is about to crash down, or the observer about to fall off into infinity.
There will be more and better pics soon. Philae sent back a bunch of data last night. Right before it went into a deep sleep it may never awake from.
And just last night, the ESA announced a risky maneuver may have put enough sunlight on the lander's panels to recharge the batteries. It is in now contact with Rosetta. It appears Philae is not ready to give up just yet.