Once begun in 2004. Rosetta mission leads the European Space Agency (ESA).
Although previously missions to comets – as recalled in an interview with PAP Charles Wojcicki from the Copernicus Science Centre – has never failed to put on the surface of the comet and the test equipment to conduct research there.
“Scientists waiting for a new challenge so landing on an object in the solar system, which have not tried to land,” – he stressed.
If all goes according to plan, the landing maneuver begins on November 12 at. 9.35 Polish time release by the probe Rosetta lander Philae. Then the probe moves away from the comet and adjust accordingly to maintain communication with the lander. After about seven hours, or approximately 17.00 Polish time on Earth should get a confirmation landing.
Philae will land in an area designated in advance by the researchers, called “Agilkia”. This term – derived from the name of the island on the Nile in Egypt in southern Egypt – ESA has selected in the competition, which attracted more than 8 thousand. suggestions of names from 135 countries.
“The lander Philae, which settles on the surface of the comet, will be attached to it and will run until it is sufficient electricity from solar panels. Over the next few months on a comet will be going on a very interesting thing, because it is slowly coming to the sun and becomes active. Already Rosetta ejections observed gas streams from the comet, which we then see as beautiful tail extending in the sky “- described by Charles Wojcicki.
His department Rosetta mission are also Polish. Together with the lander on the surface comets, there will also be MUPUS instrument developed by scientists from the Space Research Centre. After landing on a comet pockets in the surface and will include the studied temperature. On the other hand, the film popularizing the knowledge of the Rosetta mission, on behalf of ESA, completed Tomek Baginski director of animated films, including the Oscar-nominated “Cathedral”.
There are still a few moments where the ESA may decide to withhold landing. This can occur on November 11, after confirmation of the type of orbit probe, and the next day – depending on the state send commands to the lander. For two hours before the separation of Philae, the Rosetta will have to make a correction maneuver so that the lander was on the right course. The moment that occurs after this maneuver is the last chance to halt the mission.
“The scientists approaching such tasks do not put yourself in advance of assumptions. The probe, which will be on the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, will conduct a series of experiments that will examine the interior of the comet, the chemical composition of the regolith. However, what is on it discovers will prove over time “- explained Wojcicki.
He added that surely scholars want to understand how comets are built. “They were in the early days of the solar system and is largely composed of water ice. Some say that the water we have on Earth, come from comets. The study of such water may help us to better understand the origins of our planet. Scientists also curious whether if the comets came to Earth the water, whether it could also come into force in the form of simple organic compounds “- PAP caller said.
The Rosetta probe its mission began in 2004. Then fired it into space. With hibernation wybudzono it in January. after 957 days of traveling in the direction of the comet. From that moment already done a lot of tasks. How informed the ESA, the two first images of the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko poll done in March. In mid-October photographed a group of rocks on the surface of the comet, and the largest of them was called “Cheops”. The poll also researchers found that the comet releases water into space at a rate equal to two glasses of a second.
Ewelina Krajczyńska (PAP)
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