The European comet lander known as Philae has detected organic molecules that contain the element that is the basis of life on Earth and that element is carbon. The Philae made the discovery before its battery ran out and the lander had to shut down. The German scientists who are in charge of the Philae comet lander said that they do not know for sure if the organic molecules found on the comet … [Read more...]
ESA in for 7 Hours of Terror During Risky Comet Landing
The European Space Agency (ESA) will be attempting one of its most difficult missions to date as it will try to land a probe on the surface of a comet whizzing through space. If successful, the mission will be the first of its kind. The robotic Philae probe will be landing on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s surface on Wednesday, the 12th of November. 69P/C-G is approximately 2.5 miles wide … [Read more...]