The northern lights are magnificent events that adorn the terrestrial skies because of the show they staged at that time. Much has been said about them since they were discovered, being constant objects of study. But have you ever wondered, do they exist beyond Earth? The Rosetta Mission can answer that question.
Each space mission aims to learn more about certain aspects of the cosmos and the objects that make it up. An example of this are the popular and highly acclaimed comets, mysterious fleeting entities with endless characteristics to discover. One of the most recent discoveries is its northern lights, but is it really true?
You may also be interested in our article: Northern Lights: What are they and how are they formed?
The Rosetta Mission: An important commitment proposed by ESA
Source: The Confidential
With the primary purpose of studying comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, European Space Agency, launched in 2004, the Rosetta probe. His design consisted of a module specially adapted to address the surface of the comet in question, cushioning possible damage.
Initially, the main destination of the Rosetta Mission was a different comet than the one planned, but due to problems with the launch, this event was postponed. Then, with the necessary adjustments made, the space probe was ready to set sail again. This time, with a new objective to carry out the study.
The proposal consisted of come into contact with the aforementioned comet between the years 2014 and 2015 respectively. Once in position on the surface of this cosmic entity, the aforementioned module, named Philae, would deploy a vast experimental team.
Through the instruments that constituted the main team, the idea was to collect the greatest amount of material and information on 67P. To what end? obtain materials, gases and other types of compounds typical of the comet for the purpose of being studied.
The success of the Rosetta Mission would mark a historic milestone in the scientific community, since such an ambitious goal had never been set. Certainly, the only known precedents, they were simple flybys around the orbit of a comet, but nothing that established a direct contact.
All comets remain practically virgin since the dawn of the solar system, that is, they have not undergone any metamorphosis since then. And even if they have them, they are scarce; therefore, delving into them is a giant step to go beyond the tip of the iceberg in the middle of an immense ocean.
The Northern Lights: A Chance Discovered by the Rosetta Mission
A transcendental fact for the investigation was the sighting of electromagnetic images in the ultraviolet sensor of the probe. Until now, the only entities that were capable of emitting these cosmic shows were the planets or the moons as such.
However, to the surprise of many, the Northern Lights are most likely also present on comets. Thanks to the discovery made by the Rosetta probe, a new horizon has been discovered almost unexpectedly, but it can be positive.
At first, it was thought to be the typical "coma" of the comet, but investigating more about how it was formed, the conclusion was different. The glow around comet 67P was classified as its own and unique, a phenomenon never before seen in this type of entity. In general, it follows almost the same process of formation of the northern lights on planet Earth.
In itself, summarizing a little all the reactions that occur, basically the wind and solar particles They hit the Earth's magnetic field at high speed. These particles are electrically charged, so that, at the moment of the collision, it conceives a lighting effect widely known by many.
Applying these notions to the comet, the only palpable difference is that these solar particles collide directly with the gases of the "coma". That is, the solar wind, charged with electrons, directly impacts the gaseous emissions of 67P-CG.
The result is the "breaking" of water and other components that generate the particular effect of a northern lights. This story helps know the attitude of the solar climate and its development in cold space, serving as a bridge for the protection of future missions.
Enchanted with the theme? Delve into other discoveries from the Rosetta Mission!
Source: The Confidential
If you've been shocked by the fact that Northern Lights exist on comets, wait until you discover the rest of the information that Rosetta brought back. However, it is not an easy thing, since, in the first instance, the ESA was harshly criticized due to its lack of transparency. The data that was being collected by the Rosetta probe were not published in detail, increasing discontent among the masses.
Of course, it was alleged that the discoveries of the Rosetta Mission could not be fully revealed until some time after their analysis due to internal politics. However, this is precisely what is known thanks to the collaboration of NASA at present.
Controversy regarding the origin of water on Earth
Various theories and hypotheses hold that the water on Earth descends from the impact of ancient asteroids and comets against the surface of the planet. But, when delving into the composition of the comet's water, the result obtained completely destroyed the initial premise.
The components in the water of 67P are totally different from those that are handled on Earth, so the spectrum of their origin has been reduced. Now, the water is thought to come primarily from asteroids.
Do comets have their own magnetic field?
Another strongly held theory was the belief that small cosmic bodies like comets had their own magnetic field. Quickly was disproved with an experiment carried out by the Philae module, concluding that the only magnetism present was that produced by the solar wind.
Are comets responsible for the origin of life? This is what is known!
Among other discoveries of the Rosetta Mission, but no less important, were genetic materials essential for life. Within the composition of the structure of comet 67P, an essential amino acid for protein synthesis was found, such as Glycine. In addition, excavations demonstrated the presence of phosphorus, important compound of the cell membrane and of DNA in general.