Supporting the theory of carbon comet transmission… Analysis with SOFIA infrared device
Academia reported that carbon was also confirmed in the tail of the comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) that left the sun in January 2016. This was suggested to further support the fact that the starting point of life on Earth could be the carbon brought by a comet.
According to NASA, a research team led by Professor Charles Woodward of the University of Minnesota’s Astrophysical Research Institute published the findings of carbon rich in the dust tail of comet Catalina in the journal Planetary Science Journal.
The research team used infrared equipment from the Stratospheric Infrared Observatory (SOFIA) operated by NASA and the German Aeronautical and Space Center (DLR) as a converted Boeing 747 to observe the dust tail of Catalina as it approached the Earth as far as 110 million kilometers. .
Comet Catalina came from the Ort cloud at the end of the solar system, and after the first and last approach to the sun, it escapes from the solar system.
“Carbon is the key to discovering the origins of life on Earth,” said Professor Woodward. “We are still not sure whether the Earth had enough carbon when it formed. The team explained that Jupiter’s orbit changed slightly, and the comet entered the solar system, collided with Earth and Mars, and transmitted carbon.
The team found that the rich carbon in comet Catalina explains how planets formed through ultra-high temperature processes in the carbon-lean regions of the inner solar system got the elements of life.
“All rocky planets are objects that can be hit by comets or other small objects with carbon,” said Professor Woodward. “We are getting closer and closer to understanding how the collisions that occurred in the early stages of planet formation promoted the emergence of life.” did.
“More observations need to be made to determine whether other comets in the Ort Cloud are also rich in carbon. These observations will support the fact that the comets brought carbon and other elements of life.”
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