Published on November 19, 2014 at 6:35
Berlin (Germany): The spacecraft Philae lander has found organic molecules on the surface of the comet where it landed last week.
The spacecraft could signal back evidences about the presence of chemicals containing carbon and hydrogen before it entered to hibernation mode to cope-up with the falling power supplies.
The lander could bounce across the comet’s tortured landscape before coming to rest near a cliff that blocks sunlight from reaching Philae’s solar panels.
Thus, the power generation system of the craft becomes unable to recharge its batteries.
Scientists are yet to reveal what kind of molecules have been found on the surface of the comet.
The discovery could provide new basis about how the early chemical ingredients that lead to life on Earth has arrived on the planet.
Many scientists are of the opinion that they might have been carried here on an asteroid or comet that collided with the Earth during its early history.
The DLR German Aerospace Centre, which built the Cosac instrument, confirmed that it had found organic molecules on the surface of the comet.
Video on the landing of the spacecraft Philae on Comet