Climbing Cliffs of the Cosmos: Embracing the Heights of Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Imagine standing atop a cliff that stands a staggering kilometer high, peering down at a landscape dotted with boulders the size of minivans. Now, take a quick mental leap—the catch?

This jaw-dropping geological formation isn’t on Earth but adorning the rugged terrain of Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko (affectionately known as Comet CG for those of us who appreciate brevity). Thanks to the daring robot adventurer Rosetta, which took to the cosmos on a quest to unravel the secrets of this icy giant, we were introduced to this imposing cliff early in the mission.

Launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), Rosetta embarked on its two-year mission to orbit the comet from 2014 to 2016, unveiling the many mysteries hidden in the comet’s intricate design. The cliff, resembling nature’s version of a cosmic skyscraper, showcases how even celestial bodies can have a flair for drama. The only problem? The surface gravity of Comet CG is so low, a human might just bounce back up after taking a spectacular tumble off its edge. Forget skydiving—how about “boulderdive” from a cliff that might as well be on another planet?

Now, let’s talk about the surroundings. At the base of this majestic rocky outcrop lies a smoothly contentious terrain. But don’t let its tranquil appearance fool you! It’s speckled with boulders as large as 20 meters across—think of them as the cosmic equivalent of those huge inflatable beach balls, only a bit rockier and less fun to bounce. As you wander through this alien landscape, you have the privilege of crushing on cosmic geology in the most literal sense. But tread carefully; those rocks might be hiding their own secrets.

While we’re on the subject of secrets, Rosetta’s analysis has revealed something utterly fascinating about the ice on Comet CG. It turns out that the water ice here has a significantly different deuterium fraction compared to the water in our own oceans. This implies the water originating from Comet CG comes from a different cosmic address—an interstellar postcard from a region of our solar system that is not quite our own. Talk about being water-logged with mystery!

Now, why name this remarkable probe Rosetta? Well, wander back in time for a moment. The Rosetta Stone was a vital masterpiece that helped unlock the mysteries of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, offering us a pathway into the past. Much like its namesake, the spacecraft was designed to help us decode the enigmatic nature of comets and their histories. Here we are, circling around a hunk of ice and rock, using technology and ingenuity to decipher a text written in the language of the stars.

So there you have it—a lofty tale of a cliff on a comet that challenges both our imagination and gravity. The next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember there are tales of cosmic wonders just waiting for their stories to be told. Who knows, maybe the next great leap isn’t just on Earth, but also from the edges of celestial beauties hanging silently in the vastness of space. Now that’s a jump worth taking!
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/i6oMxJk