• Question: Did the Rosetta send and information?

    Asked by Iman to Heather, Helen, Hugh, Julian on 19 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Helen Johnson

      Helen Johnson answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      We’ve had lots of information back from Rosetta already! Philae was the probe that separated from Rosetta and landed on the surface of 67P – it landed a bit funny, bouncing a few times before coming to rest on its side. This meant it wasn’t able to charge its solar powered battery properly, because it landed in a shadowy region of the comet. Nevertheless Philae sent back data from most (if not all) of its instruments before it ran out of battery 🙂 We know there are organic compounds on the surface!
      Rosetta will continue to orbit the comet and send back data, even without Philae, which is really exciting. It’s going to monitor the comet as it approaches the Sun, analyse the gases that stream off it, and take more photos. We’ll learn a lot more about comets than ever before 😀

    • Photo: Julian Onions

      Julian Onions answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      As Helen said, I think we got all the essentials. As it gets nearer the sun, there is a chance the batteries will recharge, and there may be more.
      Even if not, its been very successful.

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