Image copyright AP spacecraft “Rosetta” found in a cloud of gas surrounding the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, an unexpectedly large number of oxygen molecules.
The results of research publishes the journal Nature. Researchers concluded that the molecules of oxygen contained in the cloud over the solar system that denies a significant part of the theories of planetary formation.
The oxygen readily forms compounds with other elements, such as hydrogen, and if, as suggested common theory, the formation of the solar system was accompanied by the release of large amounts of heat, the O2 molecule in such a way they could not survive. The fact that the surrounding comet clouds of gas managed to find water, but not oxygen, seemingly confirmed this theory.
The researchers found that oxygen is the fourth to extend the gas surrounding the comet after water vapor, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide .
Kathrin Altwegg of the University of Bern, taking part in the project, said that at first the scientists thought that these might contain some error.
“When we saw this, we have begun to doubt, because I did not expect to find such a comet. The main question – how he (oxygen) got there, “- she said.
” If oxygen is present during the formation of the comet’s why he survived so long? “- Asks Andre Bieler from the University of Michigan.
“According to the available scientific models, it could not have existed for so long. It reveals the mechanism of origin of the solar system. It has to be quiet for the formation of ice grains. They are still in the initial state. Now we have evidence that most of the comet survived the creation of the solar system, “- he added.
Previously, scientists were able to find on the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ethanol, and the simplest hydrocarbons. In addition, the substance of the comet have found a molecule methyl isocyanate, acetone, propanol, and acetamide.
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