NEW YORK: A new study exposed that comet is only half dense than water.
These calculations were made from an array of instruments aboard the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft, which is currently revolving around the comet known as 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, more than 500 million kilometers (310 million miles) from earth.
Multiple studies have been made regarding the shape, composition and surface features of the comet. The information provides insights into how these ancient cosmic bodies formed and how our solar system originated.
Photographs of 67P by Rosetta shows jagged and ravines formations, not similar to the hard, rocky formations that can be seen on Earth. But the comet is fluffy, porous and only half as dense as water.
Lead author of one of the studies and scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, Holger Sierks said “This comet would float on a lake,”
Further details regarding 67P have surprised the scientists. They have already concluded that its water isn’t the same as terrestrial water. Instruments aboard the Philae Lander have also discovered organic molecules in the comet’s atmosphere.
Planetary scientist at Italy’s National Astrophysics Institute and lead author of one of the studies, Fabrizio Capaccioni said “It’s the first time we’ve seen such an abundance of organic material throughout comet’s surface,”
According to Dr. Capaccioni his team has yet to identify surface materials precisely but the data suggests the possible presence of carboxylic acids. These are a component of amino acids, which, in turn, are the building blocks for proteins.
The Rosetta probe is currently 30km above comet’s center, nucleus. The spacecraft and comet are in lock-step, hurtling 1 million kilometers closer to the sun every day.
