«Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko can break into two nuclei”, commented specifically for the “MK” scientists of Moscow and St. Petersburg
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As we learned from the European Space Agency Twitter, stokilogrammovye descend Lander “Fila” size of a washing machine was able to score a penetrator (impact penetration probe) instrument MUPUS the very core of Comet 67P / Churyumov -Gerasimenko. But now there are concerns that the battery will be enough for a few hours. This descent module was the first in history to have reached the surface of the comet. His task – the origin of life on Earth, the chemical composition of the object and the problem of cometary security for Earthlings: on the most balanced version, the Tunguska meteorite was – a comet.
esa.int
At the moment, joyfully read the latest message from the device on the comet: «Back to work! I’m now drilling into the surface of 67P. I’ll give you updates as soon as I can! »(« Back to work, I am now in vburivayus surface of comet 67P. To inform you all the news as soon as possible! »).
But Not all is rosy, as would have liked. As it became known, the research module Philae can in the next day at all disconnect. Indeed, after the batteries sit in their place must come the energy from solar panels. But the problem is attributed to the ESA that the module is in the shade. Thus, the reserve battery for up to 64 hours, will dry up in about twelve hours. In other words, on Saturday the unit can “sleep».
Last night at work including detectors of alpha particles and X-rays. Also in the nucleus of the comet was introduced spetszond to analyze the composition of the soil. For all this and need energy storage batteries.
Now the module “is in a constant mode of functioning” and sends the data back to Earth. Even without a planned drilling scientists hope that they will receive “not less than 70-80% of the planned volume of data”.
Robot “Fila” Wednesday first landed exactly in the planned area, but then bounced off the surface, then appeared in the less successful work place. Lander was able to catch a comet only the third time before he found himself in the shadow of the cliff a kilometer away from the planned landing site. The robot fell on stony ground, where little sunlight, and also nearby cave. It relies only on two of its three pillars (which makes it extremely risky attempt to re-shot harpoons, since the module could tilt in space). Gravity is the comet mass of 10 billion tons is too small to firmly hold on myself any body. Planting Lander complicated by the fact that out of order taxiing jet engine. Telemetry showed that the machine is on a fairly steep slope.
However, the fact of the successful vburivaniya penetrator probe may help to move to another place of the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. ESA experts urgently check penetrator MUPUS work and evaluate its ability to maneuver Philae on the core of the comet. If scientists will not be able to move the machine to a lit plot, its battery will be exhausted after a day: now sensitized solar cells are illuminated only half an hour every 12 hours.
The good news is one that, in case of a power module “Fila “in a few months can still go back to the operation. This may happen when the comet approaches the Sun and the solar panel power generation will increase. In addition, near the comet flying probe Rosetta, gently transmitting important scientific data.
In the ESA report from Philae established quality radio contact. Scientists are trying to gather as much data before it has finished the unit stored energy.
Now ESA experts are studying how to move the robot to maximize the amount of light falling on its solar panels. One plan of salvation involves the use of mobile Philae machine tools to ensure strength, leading out from the shadow of the robot. But the implementation of this strategy may not be enough time.
November 12 after 10 years of flight over a distance of 500 million km from the Earth research robot “Fila” European scientific space probe “Rosetta” for the first time in human history made successful landing on the comet nucleus 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Successful landing module on the comet nucleus, scientists have regarded as the third milestone in space exploration after Gagarin’s flight and landing of US astronauts to the moon (if in reality, of course, was). Scientists also believe research probe landing on the comet as “the most daring project” in the history of unmanned space exploration. Also it is the first spacecraft that will fly close to a comet until it approaches the Sun, tracking the dynamics of what is happening.
The main organizer of the mission, ESA acts, but only in the organization of the mission involved 50 companies from 14 countries Europe and the United States. Mission Rosetta is the most ambitious project of the ESA. Its total cost is estimated at € 1,3 млрд.
Specialist comets and leading researcher INASAN RAS (Moscow), Vyacheslav Emelianenko:
«It probably the most prominent space mission to date. According to the complexity and the fact that it gives to the knowledge of the solar system. Were missions to asteroids, but sit on the comet – the mission is much more complicated. There recorded eruption of gas and dust … If you remember, the mission to Halley’s comet in 1986, so it was over very quickly, as the collision of dust particles knocked everything off. Comet general phenomenon strange … They are representatives of the era of the formation of the solar system. Knowledge of the cometary material is priceless because it is the least time is near Earth. Probe “Rosetta” will last a year, and the unit “Fila” – a few months, if all goes well. Sama comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, though typical, but these are not so much. Their origin is not clear.
Many comets come from the so-called Oort cloud comets and part – there are several hundred – with a short period of revolution around the sun is not quite known as incurred. Churyumov-Gerasimenko have two cores that are “ready” to become the two cores. This comet may split – she has a very narrow isthmus (resembles a dumbbell). The unit itself weighs 100 kg, but because of the weak impact of the comet’s gravity, it weighs some programs. That is, in fact, the device does not feel the gravitational pull of the comet ».
Senior Researcher at the Institute of Applied Astronomy of RAS (St. Petersburg), Nikolai Zheleznov:
« Comet may consist of an entire periodic table. And it is important to understand that the comet formed from the same material from which the solar system formed. All short-period comets (Halley’s comet Encke and this) are the result of gravitational maneuvers long-period comets that fly from the Oort Cloud. Interesting to explore the vicinity of comet dust. It is believed that a comet frozen into all matter (dust and gas) at the time of formation of the solar system.
The analysis of gas and dust from the comet can make it clear what we’re all descended. To some extent this can be called a landmark project, although previously there were attempts to study the comet. This mission is also important in the light of the analysis of the comet and asteroid threat to Earth. Comets hit the Earth, of course, less likely than asteroids. But they are less predictable and we do not know enough. Simply put: the body flying from infinity and straight into the ground. Comets, of course, looser and more likely they are to break down even in the Earth’s atmosphere. But the threat is not from mass tely and whether any of it is substance. The threat comes from the energy (kinetic energy is converted into heat).
For example, the Tunguska catastrophe – it likely was a comet. From her because nothing left – it evaporates, and the dust is scattered. A blast was still – these explosions for humanity and dangerous. The comet may disintegrate as well as turn into asteroids. However, the Earth can destroy only Tserrera. The atmosphere of the Earth is not a guarantee of full protection of the people, as the comet can jump away from the atmosphere and begin to move along the tangent path. Such cases have already occurred. For the earth will be bad if the dust from the explosion spread over the earth and dam the flow of sunlight resulting nuclear winter comes, when all living things can die ».
Senior Researcher, State Sternberg Astronomical Institute (Moscow ) Vladimir Surdin:
«Nothing landmark in planting the device on the comet is not. Normal event. Already landed on the asteroid. Although because of the gas at the comet harder to catch, of course. Much ice on the comet, which is approaching the sun evaporates. And all of these are pulled out as vapor evaporating from the nose of the kettle. With a little more speed of course. The chances of success are not clear – because this is the first such attempt. Sama comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko interesting than here.
Throughout his life, this comet was flying away from the sun – never heated and not evolved. It does not change the chemical composition, and was like a refrigerator in the distant cosmos. And just recently, Jupiter turned her and tossed into the inner solar system. In the area of Mars and closer to the sun. And if she is not been here before – so she kept a ancient substance.
It is hoped that there may be something biological. Incidentally, the first Europeans tselili your machine to another comet. But they were too late to start and missed the opportunity. The launch window passed and could not fly to the comet. And it was necessary to urgently choose another goal for the flight. And then it turned out that the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko corresponds exactly in its orbit and scientific interest. That’s it and run. You can say it would not be happy – yes no luck helped. Everything else turned ordinary way – ten years flying machine and is now working. He needed time to dig up something interesting. It can detect the isotopic composition of the water.
It is still unknown where on earth did the water. We do not know for sure what kind of water on comets – what is its composition. If the “Fila” him compete, then it will be possible to compare with ours, ocean water. And maybe decide that whether comets brought her or some other source ».
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