By Michael Winter, USA TODAY, July 31, 2015 – The comet probe Philae detected several elements essential to life during its historic, bouncing landing in November, scientists announced Thursday.
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko contains at least 16 organic compounds, four of which had never before been detected on a comet, the first analysis of the data found. Whether the complex, carbon- and nitrogen-rich molecules were formed in the early days of the solar system or later on the comet remains a mystery.
But their existence “could have played a key role in fostering the formation” of amino acids, sugars and nucleobases — the ingredients for life, said the European Space Agency, which launched the Rosetta orbiter and its probe.
When it finally came to rest after a seven-hour descent and an unexpected, bouncing landing, Philae also encountered rock harder than its scientific hammer was designed for.
