Rosetta Mission to Comet 67P Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Approximately how long did the Rosetta spacecraft orbit comet 67P?

  • 18 months
  • 26 months (correct)
  • 3 years
  • 2 years

What is thought to be the final resting place of the Rosetta spacecraft on the comet?

  • The Imhotep region
  • The Anuket region
  • The Hathor region
  • The Ma'at region (correct)

When was the image captured by the spacecraft's NAVCAM?

  • September 20, 2016
  • September 18, 2016 (correct)
  • September 29, 2016
  • September 30, 2014

What time was the image captured on September 30, 2016?

<p>7:19 a.m. Eastern time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organization was responsible for the Rosetta mission?

<p>The European Space Agency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of comet 67P's interior structure?

<p>Porous and full of holes, indicating gradual assembly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The presence of what chemical elements in comet 67P's composition supports the idea of a distant birth?

<p>Oxygen and argon (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Comet 67P's formation process, according to the study?

<p>It is an unusual example of how comets develop (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'time capsule' aspect of comets refer to?

<p>Their preservation of conditions of the early solar system. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does future research on comets potentially include beyond observing them from the ground?

<p>Retrieving samples from their surfaces (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What surprising discovery was made about comet 67P's structure?

<p>It consists of two separate lobes, possibly from a merger. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the landscape of comet 67P?

<p>A dynamic landscape featuring cliffs, dunes and pits. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the water on comet 67P differ from water on Earth?

<p>It has a much higher ratio of deuterium to regular hydrogen. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main takeaway from the discovery regarding the water on comet 67P, in the context of Earth's water?

<p>It implies that comets may not have been a major source of Earth's water. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key characteristics of the surface of comet 67P, relative to other solar system bodies?

<p>It is much more dynamic than many other surfaces. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method that NASA plans to use for future comet research?

<p>Launch a manned mission to a comet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Jessica Sunshine believe a detailed analysis of comet 67P by the Rosetta mission will reveal?

<p>Surprising insights about other celestial bodies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is one of the reasons why NASA is planning to propose missions involving sampling comets?

<p>To better understand the origins of the solar system (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "The Rosetta mission is not over; it's just beginning" suggest about the data collected from comet 67P?

<p>Data analysis has just begun, and many discoveries are yet to be made (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are ground-based telescopes still important in studying comets?

<p>To study comets that are too distant for spacecraft missions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did the Rosetta spacecraft mission officially conclude?

<p>September 30, 2016 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the Rosetta mission's final descent?

<p>To capture high-resolution images and data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the name Sais, given to the Rosetta landing site?

<p>It is based on an ancient Egyptian town believed to be the origin of the Rosetta Stone. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how far above the comet's surface was the final image taken?

<p>51 meters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Patrick Martin, which statement best summarizes the mission's end?

<p>&quot;We can say Rosetta has come home.&quot; (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Rosetta mission?

<p>To explore comet 67P and gather scientific data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unfortunate event happened during Philae’s landing on comet 67P?

<p>Philae bounced twice before coming to rest (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Philae go dormant after landing on comet 67P?

<p>It was unable to charge due to insufficient sunlight (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the planned method of Rosetta's ending phase of the mission?

<p>To perform a controlled impact landing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt Taylor feel about the conclusion of the Rosetta mission?

<p>Expressed mixed feelings of sadness and joy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Comet 67P's Birthplace

Comet 67P's composition suggests it formed far from the sun, in a cold and distant region.

Comet 67P's Unique Development

Unlike other comets, Comet 67P developed differently, forming slowly and gradually.

Comet 67P's Chemical Composition

Comet 67P contains a mix of gases like oxygen and argon, and organic molecules, providing clues about its origins.

Comet 67P's Porous Interior

The interior of Comet 67P is porous and full of holes, indicating a gentle formation process.

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Comets as Time Capsules

Comets, like Comet 67P, preserve traces of the early solar system, making them valuable time capsules.

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Rosetta

A spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency to study comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

The comet that Rosetta orbited for almost 26 months.

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Ma'at region

The region on comet 67P where Rosetta's final resting place is believed to be.

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NAVCAM

The camera on Rosetta that captured images of the comet.

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September 30, 2016

The date when Rosetta's final image of comet 67P was taken.

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Ground-Based Comet Studies

The study of comets using ground-based telescopes, a method providing valuable insights about these celestial bodies.

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Rosetta Mission

A spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency to study comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, providing extensive data for decades of research.

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Comet Sample Return Missions

The act of collecting samples from comets and bringing them back to Earth for analysis.

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Analyzing Rosetta Data

The process of analyzing data gathered from the Rosetta mission, shedding light on the nature of comets and other celestial bodies.

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Comet 67P: Two Lobes

Comet 67P is not a single, uniform object but has two distinct parts, or lobes.

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Comets: More Than Ice

Contrary to earlier beliefs, comets are not just icy balls. They have diverse landscapes, including cliffs, dunes, and pits, showing a more dynamic surface compared to other celestial bodies.

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Rosetta's Mission Duration

Rosetta, a spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency, orbited a comet for 26 months, gathering unprecedented amounts of data about the comet's surface and composition.

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Comet 67P's Water: Different From Earth's

The water on comet 67P contains a higher ratio of deuterium (a heavier form of hydrogen) compared to Earth's water, suggesting that comets may not be the primary source of water on Earth.

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Two Comets, One Merge?

The discovery of distinct lobes on comet 67P led scientists to theorize that it might have formed from the merging of two smaller comets.

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Rosetta's Last Image

Rosetta's final image, taken just 51 meters above the comet's surface, revealed a gravelly landscape before the spacecraft made its controlled crash landing.

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Comets: Complex Landscapes

Comets, like 67P, are not just ice balls - they have diverse terrains and dynamic surfaces. This proves that comets are more complex objects than previously thought.

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Rosetta Landing Site: Sais

The landing site on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was named Sais, honoring the Egyptian town where the Rosetta Stone was discovered, giving the mission its iconic name.

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Rosetta's Data: A Solar System Treasure Trove

The images and data captured during Rosetta's mission are valuable for scientists researching the origins and development of our solar system, particularly its comets.

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Rosetta's Legacy: A Triumph of Space Exploration

Despite its controlled crash landing, the Rosetta mission is considered a remarkable success, providing previously unattainable insights into the secrets of comets.

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When did Rosetta reach comet 67P?

After traveling for over 12 years, Rosetta reached comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on August 6, 2014.

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What happened to Philae after it landed on comet 67P?

A lander named Philae detached from Rosetta and landed on the comet's surface, bouncing twice before settling in a shadowed area.

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How were Rosetta and Philae designed differently?

Philae was designed to land on the comet, but Rosetta was not. Rosetta was planned to have a 'controlled impact' to break apart the spacecraft.

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What was Rosetta's planned landing speed?

Rosetta was designed to land on the comet at a slow speed of 3 kilometers per hour.

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Why did Philae go dormant?

Rosetta sent back valuable images of the comet's surface before becoming dormant due to lack of sunlight to power its battery.

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Study Notes

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

  • Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was orbited by a European Space Agency craft.
  • The craft's observations lasted nearly 26 months.
  • The craft ended its mission on September 30, 2016, at 7:19 a.m. Eastern time.
  • The final image was taken 51 meters (167 feet) above the surface.
  • The image shows the spacecraft falling towards a gravelly surface.
  • The landing site is named "Sais", after an ancient Egyptian town.
  • The mission's name was chosen because the Rosetta Stone is from Sais.
  • The Rosetta spacecraft's final resting place is the dusty terrain of the comet.
  • The craft took the final image on September 18, 2016.

Comet Composition

  • Comets did not all develop the same way.
  • Comet 67P was found to have a cocktail of chemicals.
  • These chemicals include oxygen and inert gases.
  • Organic (carbon-based) molecules are also present.
  • Comets are not just big balls of ice, but include features like towering cliffs, dusty dunes, and shadowy pits.
  • Comets also have a hodgepodge of terrains.
  • Some have been blanketed with dust.
  • Some have visible signs of erosion.

Comet Interior

  • The interior of comet 67P is described as porous.
  • This suggests that 67P was assembled 4.6 billion years ago.
  • Comets are dynamic, more so that most surfaces in our solar system.
  • The water on comets is more like Earth-like water.
  • Scientists believe comets are a valuable time capsule because they may have preserved samples from when our solar system was forming.

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Test your knowledge on the Rosetta mission and Comet 67P with this engaging quiz. Explore questions about the spacecraft’s orbit, the composition of the comet, and the significance of their discoveries. Perfect for space enthusiasts and students alike.

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