The ESA Rosetta spacecraft followed comet 67P at a close distance for more than 2 yr. In addition, it deployed the lander Philae on to the surface of the comet. The (surface) composition of the comet is of great interest to understand the origin and evolution of comets. By combining measurements made on the comet itself and in the coma, we probe the nature of this surface material and compare it to remote sensing observations. We compare data from the double focusing mass spectrometer (DFMS) of the ROSINA experiment on ESA's Rosetta mission and previously published data from the two mass spectrometers COSAC (COmetary Sampling And Composition) and Ptolemy on the lander. The mass spectra of all three instruments show very similar patterns of mainly CHO-bearing molecules that sublimate at temperatures of 275 K. The DFMS data also show a great variety of CH-, CHN-, CHS-, CHO 2-and CHNO-bearing saturated and unsaturated species. Methyl isocyanate, propanal and glycol aldehyde suggested by the earlier analysis of the measured COSAC spectrum could not be confirmed. The presence of polyoxymethylene in the Ptolemy spectrum was found to be unlikely. However, the signature of the aromatic compound toluene was identified in DFMS and Ptolemy data. Comparison with remote sensing instruments confirms the complex nature of the organics on the surface of 67P, which is much more diverse than anticipated.
The surface and subsurface of comets preserve material from the formation of the solar system. The properties of cometary material thus provide insight into the physical and chemical conditions during their formation. We present mass spectra taken by the Ptolemy instrument 20 minutes after the initial touchdown of the Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Regular mass distributions indicate the presence of a sequence of compounds with additional -CH2- and -O- groups (mass/charge ratios 14 and 16, respectively). Similarities with the detected coma species of comet Halley suggest the presence of a radiation-induced polymer at the surface. Ptolemy measurements also indicate an apparent absence of aromatic compounds such as benzene, a lack of sulfur-bearing species, and very low concentrations of nitrogenous material.
The ice giants Uranus and Neptune are the least understood class of planets in our solar system but the most frequently observed type of exoplanets. Presumed to have a small rocky core, a deep interior comprising ∼70% heavy elements surrounded by a more dilute outer envelope of H 2 and He, Uranus and Neptune are fundamentally different from the better-explored gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. Because of the lack of dedicated exploration missions, our knowledge of the composition and atmospheric processes of these distant worlds is primarily derived from remote sensing from Earth-based observatories and space telescopes. As a result, Uranus's and Neptune's physical and atmospheric properties remain poorly constrained and their roles in the evolution of the Solar System not well understood. Exploration of an ice giant system is therefore a highpriority science objective as these systems (including the magnetosphere, satellites, rings, atmosphere, and interior) challenge our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. Here we describe the main scientific goals to be addressed by a future in situ exploration of an ice giant. An atmospheric entry probe targeting the 10-bar level, about 5 scale heights beneath the tropopause, would yield insight into two broad themes : i) the formation history of the ice giants and, in a broader extent, that of the Solar System, and ii) the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. The probe would descend under parachute to measure composition, structure, and dynamics, with data returned to Earth using a Carrier Relay Spacecraft as a relay station. In addition, possible mission concepts and partnerships are presented, and a strawman ice-giant probe payload is described. An ice-giant atmospheric probe could represent a significant ESA contribution to a future NASA ice-giant flagship mission.
A set of cristobalite-and tridymite-rich igneous clasts (CB1 to CB8) have been found in Parnallee (LL3.6). They consist of clinoenstatite, minor feldspathic mesostasis and cristobalite veined by endiopsideaugite. The largest clast, CB8, is 1.6 cm in diameter and contains veined tridymite and cristobalite, clinoenstatite (zoned to ferroaugite and pyroxferroite Fs75.6Wo20.0) and plagioclase. Compared to bulk ordinary chondrites (OC), the bulk clasts are depleted in A1 (0.02-0.8~ OC), Na and K and enriched in Si (1.6-2.0~ OC) and Ca ( 1 . 3 4 . 5~ OC). Bulk CB8 has LREE > HREE (La/Lu = 1.6) with a positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 2.4). Textural observations suggest that the clasts cooled rapidly (24420 "Ch) above 1200 "C. Clasts CBl-CBS contain the isotopically heaviest 0 yet found in ordinary chondrites (up to 6170 = +8.7%0, 6180 = +11.6%0). Enrichment in the heavy isotopes of 0 is dependent on the proportion of cristobalite (or tridymite) in the clasts. A regression line CRIL (Cristobalite Line), with slope 0.77, is defined by the isotopic compositions of CBl-CB8, the Farmington clast and ordinary chondrite chondrules. An 160-poor gas reservoir, whose composition must lie at some point along the extension of CRIL, has undergone varying degrees of isotopic exchange with most ordinary chondrite material. Silica polymorphs have undergone the greatest degree of exchange because of their open, framework structures. Silicon in CBl-CB8 has normal isotopic ratios. A model is proposed that involves differentiation of H-group material through extraction of volatile elements in a vapour phase, loss of an Fe-Ni-S melt and metastable crystallisation (60-70%) of olivine. The calculated residual liquid is silica-oversaturated and its subsequent predicted crystallisation sequence resembles that preserved in CBl-CBS. This model may require two stages of heating, the second one prior to cristobalite crystallisation (if the silica polymorph crystallises within its predicted stability field of >1500 "C). Isotopic exchange took place either when CBl-CBS were ejected from their parent body due to impact or near the surface of the parent body, perhaps in an ejecta blanket setting. The latter option is preferred because it is more consistent with our igneous model. -*
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.