Discoveries from Rosetta amazed the scientists – Periodic Socket

Collection of the explosions, the brightest comet 67P Churiumov-Guerasimenko captured by Rosetta. Photo: AFP

[Science]

29/09/2016 – 01:01 PM

Darmstadt.- The Rosetta mission allowed us to advance significantly in the knowledge of comets, especially the role that these small celestial bodies of the Solar System were able to play in the emergence of life on Earth.

Formed about 4 thousand 500 million years, comets are part of the most primitive in the Solar System.

A strange

The engineers of the mission had been prepared to do to land the robot Philae on the nucleus of a comet with the shape of a rugby ball. However, a few months after the operation, they realized that it sounded more like a “duck bath” with a small head, large body and neck cracked.

The question that emerged was if the kite was separating into two parts or if they were two pieces of a comet stuck.

“The analysis suggests, rather, on the second hypothesis”, explains the astrophysicist Francis Rocard, in charge of the Rosetta space Center CNES of France. The shock must have occurred at very low speed, because otherwise the comet would have exploded”. Very porous, the comet is a frail body.

This suggests that comets were formed “in a relatively less violent than was previously thought,” says Rocard.

Water different

Another great surprise: the scientists discovered that the signature atomic molecules of water caught in the fumes of comet 67P were very different to those of the Earth.

therefore, the water of our oceans is not from the family of comets of Jupiter, to which belongs the comet 67P Churiumov-Guerasimenko.

Given that the Earth lost its water prime, after having suffered impacts giants, among them the Moon, the Earth received water from the second generation”, states Francis Rocard.

Before Rosetta, the astronomers felt that such water could be a result of the bombardment of Earth by comets rich in water, or asteroids, numerous but less rich in water.

After the new observations, “things are complicated”, he warns.

Glycine in the comet

In exchange, Rosetta discovered that the comet contains glycine, an amino acid smaller, an essential ingredient for the emergence of life on Earth. Amino acids are the molecules that form proteins.

This discovery is a result “very important”, because it is the first time that is found accurate glycine in the atmosphere of a comet, highlights Rocard.

The comets, which are the celestial bodies rich in carbon, are bombarded with this element to the Earth, and probably seeded the oceans with these amino acids, adds the expert.

molecular Oxygen unforeseen

Rosetta found molecular oxygen (O2) in abundant quantity in the atmosphere of the comet, a “surprise” to scientists.

this Is the first time that is molecular oxygen in a comet.

The scientists think that they will have to modify their current models on the formation of the solar system, since we currently do not anticipate the presence of low oxygen that forms in a comet.

No magnetic field

Another source of amazement: the nucleus of the comet lacks a magnetic field.

If 67P is representative of the nuclei of comets, it is unlikely that the magnetic forces have played a role in the accumulation of rocky bodies more than a meter, which participated in the formation of the planets, emphasize the scientists.

These results could force them to review a theory key about the formation of comets and other bodies in the solar system.

Work ahead

The data collected by Rosetta will work scientists for several years.

“at The beginning, I had said, using a metaphor, that Rosetta would be the key that would open the treasure chest that holds the secrets of the Solar System,” stresses Mark McCaughrean, head scientist of the ESA.

“We have found the key, but is there torn to pieces. We’re going to have to fix it before you can open the chest”, apostille.

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