Comet 81P Wild 2 size, shape, and orientation

Spectacular images, taken during the flyby of 81P/Wild 2 by the NASA Stardust spacecraft, were used to determine that the shape of the comet 81P/ Wild 2 nucleus can be reasonably modeled as a triaxial ellipse having radii 1.65 x 2.00 x 2.75 km +/- 0.05 km (1sigma). The shortest axis, considered the rotational axis, has a right ascension of 110degrees and a declination of -13degrees. The longest axis, used to define zero longitude, has an argument of prime meridian angle of 155degrees. All angles use the IAU definitions, are relative to the Earth Mean Equator and Vernal Equinox of J2000 and have uncertainties of +/-3degrees (1sigma). The rotational axis was pointed 65degrees from the sun during the Stardust encounter of 81P/Wild 2, making an area within 25degrees of the spin axis in continual sunlight and the apparent source of a few major jets.