By Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website
The Philae lander has detected organic molecules on the surface of its comet, scientists have confirmed.
Carbon-containing "organics" are the basis of life on Earth and may give clues to chemical ingredients delivered to our planet early in its history.
The compounds were picked up by a German-built instrument designed to "sniff" the comet's thin atmosphere.
Other analyses suggest the comet's surface is largely water-ice covered with a thin dust layer.
The European Space Agency (Esa) craft touched down on the Comet 67P on 12 November after a 10-year journey.
Dr Fred Goessmann, principal investigator on the Cosac instrument, which made the organics detection, confirmed the find to BBC News. But he added that the team was still trying to interpret the results.
Full Article.
Comet landing: Organic molecules detected by Philae
+54
+56Wow that is exciting news!
+54It is one of those WOW!!! moments. It opens up all sorts of questions now.
That is really fascinating... and it also is what some were expecting to find. Quite awesome!
+5414th June 2015 by Ms. Smith
http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/06/esa-comparison-of-massive-churyumovgerasimenko-comet-100590940-large.idge.jpg
In November 2014, Philae touched down on its surface and became the first spacecraft to land on a comet nucleus. The landing was troublesome as Philae bounced twice, leaving the lander parked in the shade. Although Philae was supposed work for months, it worked for only 60 hours before going dark.
Rosetta has been “listening” for its lander since March 2015. On June 13, seven months after Philae went into hibernation, the ESA's European Space Operations Center received signals for 85 seconds from the lander. Apparently Philae has been awake and collecting data for some time, but only now collected enough sun in its solar panels to communicate with Earth.
Full Article
http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/06/esa-comparison-of-massive-churyumovgerasimenko-comet-100590940-large.idge.jpg
After seven months of hibernation, the European Space Agency’s Philae lander woke up on the surface of a comet and tweeted "Hello, Earth!"
In November 2014, Philae touched down on its surface and became the first spacecraft to land on a comet nucleus. The landing was troublesome as Philae bounced twice, leaving the lander parked in the shade. Although Philae was supposed work for months, it worked for only 60 hours before going dark.
Rosetta has been “listening” for its lander since March 2015. On June 13, seven months after Philae went into hibernation, the ESA's European Space Operations Center received signals for 85 seconds from the lander. Apparently Philae has been awake and collecting data for some time, but only now collected enough sun in its solar panels to communicate with Earth.
Full Article
Well, I would have been more surprised if it had blogged rather than tweeted...but I suppose that they are working on that, LOL! ;)
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
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