Deep Impact comet surprisingly fluffy
Posted: Wed, Sep 7, 2005, 8:21 PM ET (0021 GMT)
Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Deep Impact mission said this week that the comet the Deep Impact probe collided with had an unexpectedly weak structure. Planetary scientists, discussing the results from the mission at a conference in England, said that the nucleus of comet Tempel 1 has a fluffy structure that is weaker than a bank of powder snow. That porous structure would allow the outer layers of the nucleus to very quickly heat up and cool down, potentially preserving the inner portions of the comet in a pristine state since the comet's formation early in the solar system's history. The plume of materials ejected by the comet by the impact of the Deep Impact probe also had a high amount of organic molecules, which confirms speculation by some scientists that comets may be a key source of the organic material needed for life to develop on terrestrial worlds like the Earth.
Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Deep Impact mission said this week that the comet the Deep Impact probe collided with had an unexpectedly weak structure. Planetary scientists, discussing the results from the mission at a conference in England, said that the nucleus of comet Tempel 1 has a fluffy structure that is weaker than a bank of powder snow. That porous structure would allow the outer layers of the nucleus to very quickly heat up and cool down, potentially preserving the inner portions of the comet in a pristine state since the comet's formation early in the solar system's history. The plume of materials ejected by the comet by the impact of the Deep Impact probe also had a high amount of organic molecules, which confirms speculation by some scientists that comets may be a key source of the organic material needed for life to develop on terrestrial worlds like the Earth.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, February 10
Europe Turns to Russia as NASA Cuts Loom
Wall Street Journal — 7:07 pm ET (0007 GMT) Commercial Spaceflight Federation Announces Formation of The Suborbital Coalition
Commercial Spaceflight Federation — 7:05 pm ET (0005 GMT) NASA Glenn Completes Space Hardware for Launch to International Space Station
NASA/Glenn — 7:04 pm ET (0004 GMT) Glenn Director to Discuss NASA's Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
NASA/Glenn — 7:04 pm ET (0004 GMT) NASA Deputy Administrator Holds Space Coast Media Availabilities
NASA/KSC — 7:03 pm ET (0003 GMT) |