A Decade of Exploration: Rosetta Unveils the Secrets of Comet 67P

A Decade of Exploration: Rosetta Unveils the Secrets of Comet 67PIn 2014, after a decade-long journey through deep space, the Rosetta spacecraft successfully reached its destination Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This marked the first time in history that a spacecraft had ever orbited and landed on a comet

A Decade of Exploration: Rosetta Unveils the Secrets of Comet 67P

In 2014, after a decade-long journey through deep space, the Rosetta spacecraft successfully reached its destination Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This marked the first time in history that a spacecraft had ever orbited and landed on a comet. Comet 67P, a frigid celestial body located 4 billion kilometers from Earth, is known as a "time capsule" that preserves the primordial matter from the formation of the solar system. It holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the Earth's water resources.

Comets, these ancient celestial bodies that roam the fringes of the solar system, have long been shrouded in mystery. Ancient civilizations observed and recorded these "celestial visitors," such as the famous Halley's Comet and the Stellar Comet. But where do comets come from? Why are their orbits so irregular? These questions began to be answered in the late 19th century.

By studying cometary orbits, scientists have discovered that comets likely originated in the Oort Cloud, a vast cloud of dust and gas that formed during the early stages of the solar system. Over eons, these particles collided and merged, ultimately forming the celestial bodies within the solar system, including planets, moons, and asteroids. The matter that did not participate in planetary formation remained in the outer reaches of the solar system, gradually solidifying into ice under various influences. These icy bodies eventually evolved into comets.

Rosetta's journey was full of challenges. After its launch from Earth, the spacecraft was continuously subject to the gravitational influences of the sun, cosmic rays, and large planets like Jupiter, resulting in an irregular flight path. To reach Comet 67P, Rosetta performed several "gravity assist" maneuvers, using the gravitational pull of other celestial bodies to accelerate its speed, finally reaching its destination after over 6,000 days of deep-space travel.

Images captured by Rosetta revealed 67P as a bizarre, double-lobed object. This highly irregular shape is likely a result of multiple collisions with other celestial bodies during its sojourn through space.

Rosetta's findings were astounding. The spacecraft discovered that the surface of Comet 67P was extremely cold, reaching -215 degrees Celsius. It also detected incredible gas rings, a phenomenon never before observed on a comet. Experts speculate that the gas rings on 67P resemble those of the Mulan comet, but due to 67P's proximity and interaction with the sun, they became observable.

Rosetta also discovered irregular indentations on the surface of 67P, remnants of collisions with other icy bodies during its journey through space. Due to 67P's weak gravitational pull, these ice chunks were unable to be drawn to the comet's surface, instead, they flew off, orbiting the comet.

Rosetta confirmed that 67P is primarily composed of ice, which was not surprising. However, detailed analysis of the ice composition revealed surprising substances, such as ammonia salts and sulfates. Since current experimental equipment cannot fully detect these substances, the precise composition of 67P's ice remains a mystery.

Besides ice, comets may also harbor radioactive substances a potentially "bad" problem. While experts have not considered the possibility of radioactive materials on comets, comets, in themselves, are mysterious celestial bodies, making it impossible to completely rule out the existence of such substances. As comets fly towards the sun, they are affected by the gravitational forces of other celestial bodies, which can alter their orbits and even generate magnetic fields. The interaction between the ice on the comet and the sun may produce radioactive materials, potentially having an immeasurable impact on other planets, including Earth.

Rosetta's exploration of Comet 67P is just the beginning. Comets are the ultimate mysterious celestial bodies, and their exploration will open new avenues for humanity's cosmic exploration and bring new opportunities for the scientific community.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])