Description: 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko is a Jupiter-family periodic comet, best known for being the target of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta mission. It orbits the Sun approximately every 6.45 years and has an irregularly shaped nucleus measuring about 4.3 kilometers in length. Its surface is rocky, dusty, and composed of various ices, giving it a dark appearance with very low reflectivity.
One of the comet’s most iconic features is its “rubber duck” shape, formed by two lobes likely the result of a low-velocity collision between two smaller bodies in the past. When it approaches the Sun, 67P becomes active, emitting gas and dust jets that create a coma and a characteristic tail.
History: The comet was discovered on September 20, 1969, by Soviet astronomers Klim Churyumov and Svetlana Gerasimenko, after whom it is named. They identified it while analyzing photographic plates in search of another comet.
However, 67P rose to global prominence when it was selected as the destination for ESA’s Rosetta mission. Launched in 2004, Rosetta became the first spacecraft to orbit a comet and deploy a lander —Philae— onto its surface in 2014. This historic achievement marked a major milestone in space exploration, providing an unprecedented amount of data on cometary composition and evolution.
The mission led to major discoveries, including the detection of complex organic molecules and the surprising fact that 67P’s water has a different isotopic signature from Earth’s water, raising new questions about the origins of water on our planet.
Uses:
- Scientific research: The study of 67P has offered critical insights into the formation of the solar system and the chemical ingredients that could have contributed to the emergence of life on Earth.
- Space exploration: Serves as a key case study for approaching, orbiting, and landing on small, active celestial bodies.
- Education and outreach: The Rosetta mission significantly increased public interest in comets and helped raise awareness about the importance of space science.
Examples:
- Rosetta Mission (2004–2016): The first mission to orbit a comet and deploy a lander (Philae) onto its surface, sending back unique data about its geology and chemistry.
- Detection of organic molecules: Scientists discovered amino acids and other carbon-based compounds crucial for life as we know it.
