Today I present the second part of the article about the mysterious and unusual comet 67P Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Comets have always been keen to mankind, but once it was considered a harbinger of disasters that await us. This is what we consider to be the most comet biblical Bethlehem Star. These pieces of rock filled with ice and gases, traverse billions of miles, often returning to our pages once in a thousand years.
One of the biggest dreams of scientists was the discovery of the secrets that could bring us what has happened in our solar system at its very beginning. Comets are also considered to be sowers of life, because according to the theory of panspermia, play a key role in the transport of building blocks of life.
Visions of scientists could finally realize spring March 2, 2004, when the comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Rosetta was launched. After 10 years, in August this year, the probe reached orbit around the comet. We learned that the nucleus of the comet is quite unusual, because it consists of two fused together like rocks…
High resolution photograph, revealed that the object surface is porous, full of rocks, cliffs and hollows. Instruments took samples of gas and it turned out that the comet smells rather smells rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide), horse farm (ammonia), bitter almonds (hydrogen cyanide) and alcohol (methanol).
Rosetta has collected a wealth of information on the basis of which selected the most convenient place to carry out the most important part of the mission, so be driven into the surface of a comet lander Philae. His task will be a detailed analysis of samples taken from a depth of 23 centimeters, using seven scientific instruments.
The choice of location was not an easy task, because, as the researchers found, no location was excellent, especially the Philae lander is equipped with special anchor, which are ideal for icy surface, and on plain ground unable to cope.
In the course of studies it was decided to point J, the point C was landing spare. Section J named Agilkia is the most flat, there is a little rock, which makes it was safest for the sampler.
November 12, 2014 year is a historic day, since it was first created by human hand landed on a comet device. Philae lander separated from Rosetta at 10.05 Polish time, and then began a 7-hour maneuver approach to the comet’s nucleus.
In preparation of the experiment MUPUS, including construction of the device before crashing for the penetrator, temperature and depth sensors penetrator, was attended by Polish scientists from the Space Research Centre in Warsaw and several other RD facilities in Poland. They were invited to cooperate with the staff of the German Space Agency DLR.
When planting on a comet lander Philae will play a key role Polish space instrument – MUPUS (Multi Purpose Sensor for surface and subsurface science). It is a multipurpose device for measuring the physical properties of the comet’s nucleus built by the Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences.
MUPUS is one of the most important and the most technologically advanced equipment, which is equipped with Rosetta. Has thermometers, infrared sensor and accelerometer. Also consists of two harpoons, which by means of cometary hammer will eat into Rosetta comet and remain on the surface, despite the lack of gravity. MUPUS weighs approx. 1.5 kg and uses only 3 watts (that’s as much as you have a mobile phone).
67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko – periodic comet belongs to the family of comets of Jupiter was discovered in 1969. It is the aim pursued by the ESA Rosetta mission.
It was discovered by astronomer Klim Churyumov Kiev in the pictures of the comet 32P Comas Solá taken by Svetlana Gerasimenko, September 11, 1969 in Alma-Ata. He saw the comet on the bank of photographs, but said that it is 32P Comas Solà. After returning to Kiev all the photographs have been thoroughly tested. October 22, it was found that it can not be 32P, as was about 1.8° from the desired position.
67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko was selected as a target for Rosetta. August 6, 2014, after 10 years of flight, the probe reached the comet, and after a series of maneuvers entered orbit around the celestial body. The kernel was calm, allowing 12 November 2014 small Philae, which separated from the probe, the first ever landing on the surface of a comet. 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko was then at a distance of 510 million kilometers from the sun. The lander will study material downloaded from the comet’s nucleus. Rosetta and Philae will remain with the comet on its journey toward the Sun, and have observed the beginnings and development activities.
Images taken by Rosetta in July 2014. comet nucleus presents itself as an object greatly enlarged at both ends. They differ in size, but they are interconnected.
Our comet is a time capsule:
November 12th the world learned about the sensational landing module Philae European Space Agency on a comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. After the transfer of data to Earth because of a low battery camera went into a state of hibernation. And in the meantime, when scientists are waiting for the revival, tell the story of the discovery of comets and those whose names she wears. Both scientists – Klim Churyumov Gerasimenko and Svetlana are continuing their research careers.
Located at a distance of 500 million kilometers from Earth comet called 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko was discovered October 23, 1969 by Soviet astronomers Klima Churyumov Gerasimenko and Svetlana, who at the time worked in the Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukraine. 67P index means that the cosmic body is discovered 67 comets, which runs around the Sun with a period of circulation of less than 200 years. Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko is interesting due to the fact that it runs up close to the Sun, and therefore relatively preserved in its original state.
Svetlana Gerasimenko currently works at the Institute of Astrophysics in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. 77-year-old Professor Klim Churyumov is a member of the International Astronomical Union, a member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, member of the New York Academy of Sciences – currently director of the Kiev Planetarium. Klim Churyumov in an interview with radio Sputnik comet called time capsule :
Comet retains its original structure of the substance. The resulting four and a half billion years ago when the comet formed itself and has not changed since then. It is a kind of time capsule. It is the substance from which all the planets formed, the Sun, which means that the solution to the great mystery of which formed our solar system, our Earth, as she was young. And as there was water on the Earth. Geologists have a different version, and astronomy there is a model in which it is believed that the water appeared on the Earth as a result of the bombing of the nuclei of comets. Kernels comets in 70 – 80% consist of ice. In the footsteps of the bombing of the Earth both comets and asteroids are like craters. And when I compared the isotopic composition of ice comets and Earth’s oceans have proven to be exactly the same. This may be evidence that the water was brought to Earth by comets. So life on Earth owe nuclei of comets. But all is not so clear… So the orbital module Rosetta lander Philae great hopes are tied. Continues the hunt for the original matter…
According to Klima Churyumov after exhausting the earth’s resources to mankind enters the space resource utilization:
In the future, humanity will have to look for sources of energy in the universe, cosmic bodies to use as a mineral resource. For example, the moon is helium-3. There it is several thousand times more than on Earth. A helium-3 is an effective and safe fuel for reactors. And if you can transport it on humanity that will provide energy for several millennia. On Earth, it is very little. So I’m sure that sooner or later people will use and asteroids as an intermediate base for flights, and nuclei of comets, and the Moon. The universe is not only our past but also our future…
For her grand prize for the discovery of the comet Churyumov Klim themselves and Svetlana Gerasimenko consider an invitation to participate in the launch of the space probe Rosetta on board an Ariane 5 rocket, which was held March 2, 2004 from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Then, 10 years ago, the start went almost unnoticed, since the main mission of the probe – comet Churyumov-examination Gerasimenko – would not begin until 10 years – in 2014. And here these 10 years have passed.
67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which Rosetta won after more than 10 years of race, surprising scientists.
Rosetta immediately after landing on a comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko immediately went to work. According to the European Space Agency, began a study on the structure and activity of the space object. The results of the first analysis was published in the journal Science.
It turns out that the surface of the comet is extremely complex. There are settings tumors, cracks, grooved areas, trenches and plane. The researchers divided the surface 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko for 19 geomorphological regions. Each has been named after the Egyptian deity.
Designated areas are grouped by type of land into five basic categories: dusty surfaces, cavities, large ditches, smooth surfaces and those that like rock.
Source: pl.wikipedia.org , tvnmeteo.tvn24.pl , polish.ruvr.ru