Skip to main content

Composition Measurements of a Comet from the Rosetta Orbiter Spacecraft

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Space Sciences Series of ISSI ((SSSI,volume 28))

Abstract

The European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta Spacecraft, launched on March 2, 2004 toward Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (C-G), carries a complementary set of instruments on both the orbiter and lander (Philae) portions of the spacecraft, to measure the composition of the Comet C-G. The primary composition measuring instruments on the Orbiter are Alice, COSIMA, ICA, MIRO, OSIRIS, ROSINA and VIRTIS. These instruments collectively are capable of providing compositional information, including temporal and spatial distributions of important atomic, molecular, and ionic species, minerals, and ices in the coma and nucleus. The instruments utilize a variety of techniques and wavelength ranges to accomplish their objectives. This paper provides an overview of composition measurements that will be possible using the suite of orbiter composition measuring instruments. A table is provided that lists important species detectable (depending on abundances) with each instrument.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • H. Balsiger, K. Altwegg, P. Bochsler, P. Eberhardt, J. Fischer et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-8335-3

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Bockelée-Morvan, J. Crovisier, M.J. Mumma, H.A. Weaver, in Comets II, ed. by M.C. Festou, H.U. Keller, H.A. Weaver (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2004), p. 391

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Coradini, F. Capaccion, P. Drossart, G. Arnold, E. Ammannito et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-9127-5

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Ehrenfreund, S.B. Charnley, D.H. Wooden, in Comets II, ed. by M.C. Festou, H.U. Keller, H.A. Weaver (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2004), p. 115

    Google Scholar 

  • P.D. Feldman, A.L. Cochran, M.R. Combi, in Comets II, ed. by M.C. Festou, H.U. Keller, H.A. Weaver (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2004), p. 425

    Google Scholar 

  • K.-H. Glassmeier, H. Boehnhardt, D. Koschny, E. Kuhrt, I. Richter, Space Sci. Rev. (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Gulkis, M. Frerking, J. Crovisier, G. Beaudin, P. Hartogh et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-9032-y

    Google Scholar 

  • W.F. Huebner, J. Benkhoff, M.-T. Capria, A. Coradini, C. De Sanctis, R. Orosei, D. Prialnik, ISSI Scientific Report SR-004. ESA Publications Division (2006), p. 13

    Google Scholar 

  • W.M. Irvine, F.P. Schloerb, J. Croisier, B. Fegley Jr., M.J. Mumma, in Protostars and Planets IV, ed. by V. Manning, A. Boss, Russell (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2000), p. 1159

    Google Scholar 

  • H.U. Keller, C. Barbieri, P. Lamy, H. Rickman, R. Rodgigo et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-9128-4

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Kissel, K. Altwegg, B.C. Clark, L. Colangeli, H. Cottin et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-9083-0

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Lundin, S. Barabash, Planet. Space Sci. 52, 1059 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • H. Nilsson, R. Lundin, K. Lundin, S. Barabash, H. Borg, O. Norberg, A. Fedorov, J.-A. Sauvaud, H. Koskinen, E. Kallio, P. Riihelä, J.L. Burch, Space Sci. Rev. 128, 671 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Notesco, A. Bar-Nun, Icarus 122, 118 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Notesco, A. Bar-Nun, Icarus 126, 336 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S.A. Stern, D.C. Slater, J. Scherrer, J. Stone, M. Versteeg et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1007/s11214-006-9035-8

    Google Scholar 

  • H.A. Weaver, P.D. Feldman, J.B. McPhate, M.F. A’Hearn, C. Arpigny, T.E. Smith, Aastrophys. J. 422, 374 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Wooden, S. Desch, D. Harker, H.P. Gail, L. Keller, Comet grains and implications for heating and radial mixing in the protoplanetary disk, in Protostars and Planets V, ed. by B. Reipurth, D. Jewitt, K. Keil (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2007)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Gulkis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, BV

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gulkis, S., Alexander, C. (2008). Composition Measurements of a Comet from the Rosetta Orbiter Spacecraft. In: Balsiger, H., Altwegg, K., Huebner, W., Owen, T., Schulz, R. (eds) Origin and Early Evolution of Comet Nuclei. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 28. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85455-7_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics