Year 2015, is going to be full of surprises for scientists interpreting data sent by Rosetta spacecraft. The first spacecraft to be revolving around a comet closest to sun, Rosetta has transmitted many surprising scientific data, since November of 2014. Many startling discoveries about Comet 67P have been made, which doesn’t comply with some of the theories created by astronomers.
For instance, Rosetta has provided sufficient evidences saying that 67P has a smooth surface. This contradicts with the theories set by scientists. The comet has a rubber-duck like shape, which at the moment, scientists cannot explain.
As comet 67P warms up during its approach towards sun, scientists have found that the comet has a highly variable atmosphere in terms of chemical composition as the comet keeps rotating around its axis. The comet has also begun to create a magnetosphere around it, similar to our planet.
The comet also has water ice on its surface. The spacecraft has also detected many dark and carbon rich compounds in the surface in most areas of the comet. Also as it turns out, 67P has way more dust than scientists expected it to have. 67P is also supposed to have ice beneath its surface and according to the data sent by the probe; most of the water vapor in its atmosphere seems to have originated from the comet’s neck.
However, scientists are still expecting signals of recovery from Philae probe since it shut down because of a cliff that blocked sun rays reaching to its solar panel. Should the sun rays fall on Philae, the probe should start working normally which would be great news for the scientists since they could then map the entire mechanics of the comet.
For the moment though, Rosetta seems to be providing more questions than answers. Maybe later in 2015, scientists might be able to unravel some of these mysteries.