A surprise in the findings of the Philae comet lander: complex organic materials

The journal Science devoted its latest issue of July 31 to the findings collected by the Rosetta spacecraft and the comet Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P Churyumov-Garasimenko

The nucleus of comet 67P Churyumov-Garasimenko was 5 km in diameter. Photo: European Space Agency

Organic substances that have not yet been observed in comets, a relatively wide variety was discovered on comet 67P Churyumov-Garasimenko over the surface of a body that appears to be quite homogeneous. Organic materials form piles instead of being spread over the ice. And these are just a few of the initial findings that the spacecraft shed from the surface of comet Churi during the few hours it operated on the day of the landing in November 2014.

The findings were published by members of the Rosetta mission team, including researchers from CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Université Joseph Fourier, Université Nice, UPEC, UPMC, Université Paris-Sud, Université Toulouse 3, Institut Paul Sabatier and UVSQ, with the support of the Space Agency French CNES. The study was published on July 31 as part of a collection of eight articles in the journal Science. These findings from the field contain new information and reveal some differences compared to remote comet observations and theoretical models.
The Philae lander, launched from the Rosetta spacecraft, provided a rare opportunity to examine the comet nucleus on the surface of the 67P Churyumov-Garasimenko (Churry) nucleus. The data transmitted by the spacecraft sheds light on these small celestial objects whose age dates back to the beginning of the solar system. The observations collected by the lander's instruments during the 63 hours in which the battery allowed it to operate (November 12-14, 2014), were added to the observations made by Rosetta itself. Even the landing of the jumps on the comet was a source of additional information.

Organic substances observed for the first time

25 minutes after Philae's initial contact with the comet's ground, the COSAC device (Cometary Sampling and Composition experiment) tested the first chemical analysis by 'sniffing', meaning examining the particles that passively entered the device. These particles most likely came from the 'dust' cloud that arose due to Philae's first contact with the ground. The 16 identified compounds are divided into six types of organic molecules: alcohols, carbonyls, amines, nitrites, amides and isocyanates). Of these, four types were discovered for the first time on a comet (methyl isocyanate, acetone, propionaldehyde acetamide.)

These particles are a treasure trove of molecules that are important to life, they make up the sugars, amino acids, DNA bases and more) but the presence of theChoose from the most common tagsThe effectiveness of these complex compounds was not confirmed with certainty in the initial analysis. In addition, almost all of the components discovered are all precursors, products, combinations or byproducts of each other, providing a glimpse into the chemical processes at work in cometary nuclei even in the early days of the solar nebula's contraction in the very early days of the solar system.

A mass of primary organic matter

The camera of the CIVA rare and Visible Analyzer) revealed that the surface in the final landing area of ​​Philae consists of dark blocks which are apparently large nuclei made of the same organic compounds. Since the cometary material has hardly changed since its formation, this means that at an early stage in the history of the solar system, clumps of chemical compounds had already formed and formed nuclei, and were not just there as small molecules trapped in ice as previously thought. The release of these nuclei into the planetary ocean could have led to the formation of life.

 

The various surfaces hide the almost homogeneous internal composition of the comet

The COSAC instrument detected a large number of nitrogen compounds but did not detect any sulfur compounds, contrary to what was seen by the Rosina instrument mounted on Rosetta, in a photograph from space. This can be explained by the differences in the chemical composition depending on the sampled area.

Additionally, it was difficult to measure the mechanical properties of the sulfur on the surface from Philae's landing position. The lander first touched down on the surface in the area known as Agilkia, and then bounced several times before reaching the Abydos area, its final landing place. Philae's speed and the data collected by her instruments showed that Agilkia is composed of granular materials at least twenty centimeters deep, while Abadius' surface is hard.
On the other hand, the interior of the comet looks more homogeneous than the models predicted. The CONSERT radar experiment (Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radio wave Transmission) provides for the first time an opportunity to study the internal composition of a comet's nucleus. The return time of the signals and their strength when they penetrate the upper part of the "head" (the comet consists of two large spheres, the smaller of which is called the head), showed that this area of ​​the comet's nucleus is homogeneous on a scale of tens of meters. These data confirm that the electrical properties of the dust in the comet's nucleus is mainly made of these carbon compounds.
The CIVA-P (P for Panorama) experiment consisting of seven micro-cameras captured a panoramic (360°) image of the Philae landing site. The image showed that cracks observed on a large scale by Rosetta also exist on the millimeter scale. These cracks are caused by heat stress, due to the large temperature differences on the comet as it orbits the sun.

Information about the location and condition of Philae

The panoramic image, where the antenna leg is visible in place, also reveals the location of Philae. It rests in a pit about the size of the lander lying on its side (with two of the three legs in contact with the ground), and is surrounded by rock walls that prevent it from receiving sunlight and communicating with Rosetta.

On three different occasions when there was a direct line of sight between Rosetta and Philae, the CONSERT instrument was able to determine the area (within a range of 150 x 15 meters) where Philae is located. This made it easier to retrace the journey of the Magilkia lander to the final Abdius landing site. After that, by measuring the signals that penetrated through the nucleus of the comet, the concert device was able to reduce the uncertainty regarding the location of Philae on the border with the area known as Tamelhit, to a strip of 21 meters by 34 meters.
With four additional published papers, dealing for example with the magnetic properties and heat conduction on Churi), these initial findings collected on the comet's surface significantly improve our understanding of these small bodies in the solar system.

For the announcement on the CNRS website

 

Hita on the comet - special coverage on the Hedaan website

Comments

  1. Is this the first time that organic materials have been found in space or have they already been found and now it is a surprise that they were found on a comet?

  2. To the editors of the site - why don't you kick the doss out of here and stop publishing their comments?
    You invest your soul to make scientific information accessible to the public and instead serve as a platform for religious hooligans.
    We have enough of them. Time to take off the gloves in the fight against the religious fanaticism that darkens our world.

  3. Herzl,
    Thanks, I read his books, but in any case it doesn't matter who wrote what and whose interpretation is more beautiful. In the end, we need to look at history from a deeper and more rational perspective and not state facts like "false religion". Why is Judaism true and other religions are not? Because it's written in a book? It is convenient for us to think that Judaism is correct because it benefits us. We are a chosen people, there are those who protect us, there is an explanation why we are here and how everyone should behave... Like I said, Judaism can be interpreted however you want even if it says 6000 years and it is a fact that they do. Theology can be discussed endlessly, but one thing it lacks is a connection to reality. Believing in a flood, angels and demons, a talking snake, a receiver that becomes a snake, a sea cut in two, magic and miraculous miracles, sacrifices for God Almighty who watches over us and cares if you rest on Shabbat because He rests on Shabbat. There is no connection between reality and fairy tales, no matter how much you try to turn it around and write beautiful words and ancient interpretations

  4. For the boxes: I recommend both of you to read Micah Goodman's book: "Secrets of an embarrassed teacher". Then you will read the confused teacher himself and again Goodman's book. It will help you organize your thoughts and understand Judaism.
    And in short for those who don't have time: Maimonides says in his book "Morah Nabukim" that one should accept the scientific opinion regarding the creation of the world and not take the creation story in the Torah literally. The reasoning is that the scriptures in the Torah were written for people in the cities in order to explain their ears. Maimonides gives examples - for example, when it is written in the Torah "and God said" it should not be concluded that God has a mouth (and sight, and vocal cords), because God is outside the universe and is not made of matter. And regarding the scientific opinion on the creation of the world - Maimonides writes that there is still not enough evidence (at the time, about 1200) to understand how the world was created.

    And my father Blizovsky - I don't understand how I will discuss "Alas for us..." managed to insert his thoughts here in the place intended for comments.

  5. Box
    A. Judaism denies the creation of the world billions of years ago. And whoever says so and considers scientific theories to be compatible with the truth of the Torah is wrong and misleading.
    According to Judaism the world was created exactly 5775 years ago no less and no more
    B. Judaism does not hold to the theory of evolution. Likewise, anyone who tries to find some opinion on this matter is wrong and misleading.
    third. Regarding life on other stars there is no contradiction in Judaism. On the contrary, whoever says that there is no life only underestimates the ability of the Creator. and limits him. Just as they try to limit his ability to create an entire universe within six days. Or try to limit his ability to create a person with a choice in the blink of an eye.
    I have no intention of justifying the fact that the Torah was interpreted hundreds of years ago. They write that there is life on the stars, this justifies the Torah towards science.. The Torah of Israel has no need to justify itself. The only problem is when you try to compare it to false religions like Christianity... and it's a shame

  6. crush into a box,
    Judaism has never said or come close to saying that there is life outside the earth, just as it has never come close to mentioning evolution or that the world was not created 6000 years ago. What you say is called hindsight bias in psychology. One of the explanations in Shirat Deborah is that the place named Maroz is an inhabited planet? You can interpret each verse and each scroll however you want, but this does not indicate the possibility that Judaism does not rule out life on other planets. Sages are not the Bible, they are interpreters, just like many sages tried to interpret Alice in Wonderland. Of course you can say that these are spiritual worlds. You can also say that it is a metaphor for countries. Since you are reading and commenting here I believe you know what it means when a theory cannot be disproved at all. Judaism does not deny the big bang, it does not deny that there are other inhabited stars and it does not deny that there are beings living in the heart of the earth. It also does not deny that the world has existed for fifty billion years, it can simply be interpreted however you want. Definitely the perfect book.

  7. Herzl
    When you say "religions of all kinds" I hope you do not include Judaism..because Judaism does not ignore the possibility of life on other stars..in Deborah's song for example, Deborah mentions a place called Meroz..one explanation says that it is the name of a star..and on this star there are Residents.. (see ibid.) Hazal also says that God will endow every righteous person with 310 (six) worlds. Although it is possible to say that these are spiritual worlds, this does not contradict the possibility of instilling stars into every righteous person.. Common sense says that if it is stars then it is not for nothing.. These are places with the reasonable ability to settle.. so the conditions suitable for life are found on those stars..
    It's a shame.. but what can be done when you take a religion that has signs of star workers and zodiac signs. and blame it on the religion of Israel

  8. A big surprise only for those who are influenced by religions of any kind who think that life is unique to the earth. This week the Pope took pains to repeat and remind his believers that according to the Torah (God said) there is life only on earth so that they do not sin by thinking far from the example.
    So in my opinion (I didn't invent the idea - there was before) there was life on planets near stars that exploded before our solar system was formed. The organic materials were dispersed with the explosion and during the formation of the solar system some of them reached the region of comets. Some germs probably also arrived.

  9. A lot of the trouble we have is because we don't respect [modesty] and the customs of Jerusalem and now a debauchery has been committed in Israel: it has been known for 150 years according to Jerusalem customs to marry only a drummer - because of a dream... The city of Jerusalem is known for its special customs, which are also mentioned in the Mishnah and the Gemara, most of which are reserved for children Jerusalem only, and reveal the uniqueness of the city. The origin of the customs refers to the period of the Second Temple and the first generations after the destruction of the Temple. Over the years, some of the customs have become the property of the people of Israel, who look forward every day to redemption and the building of the Third Temple. If you had the chance to attend a Jerusalem Ashkenazi wedding, you surely got to see the "poiker" (=drummer in Yiddish) in action. At these weddings, you won't find a band playing guitars and trumpets, and they are accompanied by drums and singers only. The story behind the custom is fascinating: in the middle of the 19th century (in the years XNUMX-XNUMX) a cholera epidemic suddenly felled many spaces in Jerusalem. Rabbi Meir Auerbach of Kalisz, head of the Ashkenazi community court in Jerusalem, conducted a dream question and wrote the question on a piece of parchment, which he placed under his head. At midnight, Rabbi Meir suddenly awoke from his sleep and saw before his eyes the verse: "My uncle is like a deer or an elk, here it is standing behind our wall, watching from the windows, peering from the slits."

    Rabbi Meir went to consult his rabbi, the Kabbalist Rabbi Raphael Yedidia Abulafia, who was well versed in the hidden wisdom, who explained to him that the Western Wall claims his insult; When the Temple stands in ruins, the joy of a person from Israel cannot be complete during the marriage of his descendants, while the people of Jerusalem hold weddings accompanied by musical instruments and musicians! And so the decree of death was passed, and the flesh of the community was allowed as the doe of the field. By virtue of his position as the community leader, Rabbi Meir convened the court and announced that from now on the people of Jerusalem will take upon themselves seven days of joy for the bride and groom, and no musical instruments will be played. It is said that the plague stopped a few days later.

    And now a terrible and terrible desecration of the name of heaven has been committed in Jerusalem by the Yesolovsky family from Ramat Shlomo: they despise the Jerusalem custom of not playing musical instruments at weddings "In Jerusalem there is an ancient regulation from the year XNUMX not to play musical instruments at weddings, and I. S. Shlomat Chaim HC A goat named Maharil Diskin according to Shabbat Ki. When he left, the rabbi decreed that only the bride and groom were happy, and in Jerusalem they always see the destruction of the HCMC in front of them." A decree decreed because of an epidemic, etc.

    And we must weep for a despicable act committed in the halls of "Besenter 1" by the Yesolovsky family, Chazon Ish St., Ramat Shlomo, Jerusalem, Israel, who had a wedding with musical instruments and a regular orchestra in Jerusalem, and yet they were happy there instead of some of the suffragists in Jerusalem because they could not find There is no permit for musical instruments at a wedding in Jerusalem, the family actually continued to play musical instruments, despite the fact that it was forbidden in Jerusalem for generations to play an orchestra at a wedding, heaven forbid, or for the same shame and shame, for the Bnei Torah, the Yesolovsky family, the "Steinman" faction, the Bnei Brak Amalekites, the Moshumedim, do The deed of Zimri and asking for a reward like Phinehas" Arab Rab and Amalek in practice.

    A blasphemy was committed in Israel, and one must protest the blasphemy in public and there were rabbis there and they kept silent and did not protest their rabbi, God bless her, God bless her, and who knows after the blasphemy what luck the bride and groom will have after blasphemy was committed in Israel at their wedding. And instead of blasphemy there is no sharing honor to the rabbi...

  10. Does anyone know if it is possible to command wonder to change location?
    If not, will the relationship end up being cut off for good? Or the proximity to the sun can slightly change the position of the probe by gas bursts and changes in the ground?

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