Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, often abbreviated to 67P, is a Jupiter-family comet known for its distinctive peanut or rubber duck shape. Here are some key facts and historical details about this celestial body:
Discovery
Orbital Characteristics
- The comet orbits the Sun approximately every 6.44 years.
- Its orbit is influenced by Jupiter, which can alter its path due to gravitational interactions.
- Perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is about 1.24 AU, while aphelion (furthest distance from the Sun) reaches about 5.68 AU.
Physical Characteristics
- Its nucleus has a volume of approximately 21.4 cubic kilometers.
- The surface is dark, with an albedo of around 0.04, reflecting only 4% of the light that hits it.
- The comet has a bi-lobed structure, with the larger lobe measuring about 4.3 kilometers in diameter and the smaller about 2.6 kilometers.
- Observations have revealed that the comet has a very low density, suggesting it is a rubble pile held together by gravity.
European Space Agency Mission
- In 2004, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Rosetta spacecraft, which entered orbit around Comet 67P in August 2014.
- The mission aimed to study the comet's nucleus, its environment, and its evolution as it approached the Sun.
- On November 12, 2014, Rosetta deployed the Philae lander, which became the first spacecraft to land on a comet. Unfortunately, Philae's anchoring system failed, and it bounced several times before coming to rest in a less than ideal location for long-term operation.
Scientific Findings
- Observations from Rosetta and Philae have provided insights into the comet's composition, revealing organic compounds, water ice, and other volatiles.
- The study of 67P has contributed to our understanding of the formation of the Solar System, the origin of water on Earth, and the potential role of comets in delivering organic material to planets.
End of Mission
- The Rosetta mission concluded on September 30, 2016, when the spacecraft was intentionally crashed onto the comet's surface to ensure no contamination of future missions.
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