This is an artist's concept of comet Wild 2 as seen from NASA's Stardust spacecraft during its flyby of the comet on Jan. 2, 2004. The view takes into account various things witnessed by the spacecraft but not all visible in any single image or set of data.

The many jets of ice, dust and larger material streaking from the comet's insides surprised astronomers. They had expected one jet, not 20. Mission officials said the jets gave the space probe a bumpy ride similar to an airplane flying through turbulence.

Scientists on Thursday released a full analysis of the surprising pictures and data collected during the flyby, including an account of bizarre craters that were totally unexpected on a comet.

-- Robert Roy Britt

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech