Beneath the surface of #Comet_67P
▻http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2016/09/29/beneath-the-surface-of-comet-67p
While scientists and the public alike have been astounded by the unexpected shape of Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s nucleus, what lies beneath the surface is just as important scientifically. Comet interiors preserve a unique record from the formation of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago. Reaching that information was one of the key tasks of #Rosetta and #Philae. There were two principal experiments designed to ’see’ inside the comet’s nucleus: the COmet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radio-wave Transmission (CONSERT) instrument and the Radio #Science Investigation (RSI). Comets are known to be mixtures of dust and ice. Yet puzzlingly, measurements show that 67P/C-G’s density is much lower than ice. This means the comet has a high porosity, and could be an indicator that there (...)