What new mystery is about to open in front of us the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, how to stay on the surface and as a science building bridges between peoples, in an interview with “Gazeta.ru” said Professor Karl Heinz Glassmayer , one of the participants of the project “Rosetta».
– Congratulations on the release of the device “Rosetta” in orbit around the comet. Tell me, what is your role in the project?
– We have been developing two magnetometers, which are mounted on orbiter and descent module “Fila”. We plan to investigate the interaction between the solar wind and magnetic field that exists near the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. And in the 80 years I have been involved in the European mission “Giotto” by overflight of Halley’s Comet.
For the calculation of the mission helped us a lot data from the Soviet apparatus “Vega- 1 “and” Vega-2 ».
– A comet may have its own magnetic field?
– While this is a mystery to us. Unlike planets, in which the presence of the intrinsic magnetic field due to the iron core, the magnetic field of the comet can only exist thanks to the magnetized dust.
– You entered the orbit of the comet. What’s next?
– With a camera on board the “Rosetta” we will reach resolution of one meter in the next six weeks will be able to remove every point on the surface of a comet. And then we can find a suitable landing place – the slopes or craters, which will be the least difficult to land.
– In what may be difficult when landing?
– gravity on a comet is very, very weak. When you touch the rebound can happen, so it is necessary to approach the comet very slowly, at a rate of several centimeters per second.
At the moment of contact we have to shoot our harpoons and make sure that we do not rebounded.
– Recently the whole world to see stunning images of the comet, as you assess your success in science?
– There are several aspects. Firstly, we are overwhelmed by the number of people interested in this mission, asking us and calling to the site of the mission. We see that the curiosity of people around the world is huge, and it’s perfect for science. On the other hand, we can see the comet’s surface, learn about its composition and education, which will give us an idea of the birth of the solar system itself.
Because the comet – the body that do not suffer almost no impact. If you look at the Earth, it is clear that our planet is exposed to weathering: crack rocks, winds and biogenic activity change its appearance.
So the Earth, as we see it today – not at all the what was at birth 4.6 billion years ago. Unlike Earth comet most of the time not subject to processes that affect it. Therefore, the comet will talk about what happened at the birth of the solar system. We have a number of models of the evolution of the solar system, and only sat on the comet, we can calibrate our model and modify them.
– Do you think that this comet – just two contiguous piles of ice or mechanically connected body ?
– This is something we really do not know yet. I think the best comparison – snowball that you sculpt winter. The main question for us – what is its tensile strength. For example, a comet that arrive close to the Sun, torn by tidal forces, as happened recently with Comet ISON. Sitting on the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, we can define these settings in the first place – its density, which we still do not know. But even if we can not catch a comet, it will not make the mission fails, because no one has previously seen the comet at this distance.
During the orbital observations from a height of about 10 km we’ll see what happens with the material evaporating from the comet, – whether he departs permanently or comes back, freezing.
– What is the expected duration of the mission?
– It is now scheduled until December 2015. If fuel is left, the mission could be extended for several months.
– As for the lander?
– We will be happy if the module “Fila” stretch at least a week. It has a battery and solar panels, but consumes too much energy. There are a lot of factors – such as how the comet dust can contaminate its solar panels, we must be ready for anything.
– What did you first hear about comets through these detailed pictures?
– We see education, which are similar to craters. However, craters on such objects are almost impossible because there are usually craters on other bodies, and the comet such attacks should just destroy. Therefore, the question for us – as they could be formed. And the second question – the double form of the comet. We know like asteroids – contact-binary asteroids.
Established this comet merger of two other or not – is also a serious issue. Comets strong rotation, it makes a full rotation in 12 hours. And a simple calculation shows that the centrifugal forces in the same order it with gravity,
why the material surface can fly only by centrifugal force.
– How do you assess the level of scientific cooperation between Russia and the European Space Agency?
– We have a lot of contacts. And we have a long cooperation since the days when flying “Giotto” and “Vega”. And committee COSPAR, where we have a presence – an organization founded in 1958, at the height of the “cold war.” And very often, we are discussing with the scientists from different countries – Ukrainian, Brazilian, from anywhere. In the same “Rosetta” on the lander magnetometer has a plasma analyzer,
which has been developed by scientists under the leadership of the Space Research Institute Anatoly Remizov in collaboration with scientists from Germany.
– As the current cooling of relations between European countries and Russia could affect the implementation of such joint missions as “EkzoMars»?
– This a political issue, we scientists are thinking about how to construct a comet, and we want to continue to work together. I have seen there are many scientists from Ukraine, and this conference showed that science – it is a bridge, which we all need.
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