Rosetta’s mass spectrometer ROSINA detected argon at comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko
The mass-spectrometer ROSINA on ESA’s comet probe Rosetta has for the first time detected the noble gas argon in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This measurement adds to the debate about the role of comets in delivering various «ingredients» to Earthsuch as water.
Comets are considered to be representative of icy planetesimals that may have contributed a significant fraction of the volatiles to planets in the very early solar system. It is also believed thatcomets must have brought some water to the Earth, however, the magnitude of their contribution is still a matter of debate.
Hans Balsiger from the Physics Institute at the University of Bernand his team were now able to detect the noble gas argon in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko – it is for the first time that researchers were actually able to measure this particular gas on a comet. Although the abundance-range of argon to water was quite large, it could be used to investigate the question of whether comets brought water to Earth, Balsiger explains:«The argon-to-water ratio on Earth is several magnitudes lower than observed at 67P/C-G.If it were the same here on Earth as on the comet, we’d have far greater quantities of argon in our atmosphere.»
Research confirms earlier results provided by ROSINA
One of the main goals of the Rosetta mission is to measure in situ the volatile inventory of 67P, a so-called Jupiter family comet. The tool used to perform these measurementsis called ROSINA, a mass spectrometer built at the University of Bern.It has a high sensitivity and a high mass resolution, which allows the comparison to remote sensing observations and to the only previous in-situ measurement at comet Halley in 1986. According to Balsiger informations such as those 2 provide by ROSINA could not be obtained from meteorites collected on Earth which were the only source of deep-space samples till now available for investigations.
In October 2014 ROSINA detected two isotopes of argon during a fly by at a distance of only 10 kilometers from «Chury’s» surface. During a period of four days researchers compared the abundance of argon with that of other molecules in the coma. «The outcome of this estimate is that contributions from comets such as 67P to the Earth’s oceans are, if at all, very small», Balsiger comments. Earlier data provided by ROSINA about the ratio of hydrogen and deuterium on the comet already pointed in that direction.
In situ noble gas measurements are important complements to the measurements of deuterium in water and the nitrogen molecules in the coma of 67P. They furthermore address the question of formation temperature of the comet’s original material;icy grains that formed the planetesimals 4.5 billion years ago in the very cold regions of our solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Original publication
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
isoprime precisION by Elementar Analysensysteme
isoprime precisION stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer
The most flexible, yet powerful isotope ratio mass spectrometer ever created
HPR-20 OEMS, Online Electrochemical Mass Spectrometer by Hiden Analytical
Online monitoring and quantification of evolved gases and vapours from electrochemical processes
A complete gas analysis solution, designed to integrate seamlessly with electrochemical applications
IonTamer ToF MS by Spacetek Technology
IonTamer instruments are time-of-flight residual gas analysers (TOF-RGA) for the analysis of gases
Compact Time-of-flight residual gas analyzer (TOF-RGA) for process analysis
PlasmaQuant MS Elite by Analytik Jena
LC-ICP-MS Is the Key to the World of Elemental Species
Highest Sensitivity and Lowest Detection Limits with PlasmaQuant MS Series and PQ LC
HPR-20 R&D by Hiden Analytical
A specialist benchtop triple filter mass spectrometer for the monitoring of evolved gases & vapours
Providing improved resolution & abundance sensitivity with an ultimate detection limit of 5 ppb sub
CATLAB Catalysis and Thermal Analysis by Hiden Analytical
A system for catalyst characterisation, kinetic and thermodynamic measurements
Integrated Microreactor-Mass Spectrometer for Reaction Testing, TPD/R/O and Pulse Chemisorption.
BIOS ANALYTIQUE - Soluciones de Renting y Leasing para laboratorios by Bios Analytique
Specialists in the rental and leasing of scientific equipment for laboratories throughout Europe
Whether you have an unexpected requirement or limited budget, we have the perfect solution for you
NexION® 5000 by PerkinElmer
NexION 5000 Multi-Quadrupole ICP Mass Spectrometer
NexION 5000 Multi-Quadrupole ICP Mass Spectrometer
Xevo TQ Absolute by Waters
A new Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for Quantification with Absolute power
Absolute performance, efficiency, productivity, and confidence for your most challenging compounds
iCAP RQ single Quadrupole ICP-MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Robust ICP-MS with ease of use and high productivity for routine analysis
A complete multi-element analysis solution for your high-throughput routine laboratory
iCAP TQ Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Overcome unexpected interferences, reduce detection limits and improve data quality
Ultralow limits of detection with simplicity - even for the most challenging analytical applications
JEOL JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF GC-Alpha Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer by JEOL
A new era of mass spectrometry for your fast forward daily lab routine:
Welcome JEOL AccuTOF GC-Alpha
Stop wrong hypotheses and uneconomic loops! Precise data without compromise is now.
expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer by Advion Interchim Scientific
Mass Spectrometry for Chemists: Fast, Easy, Prep-Free Reaction Monitoring at the Bench
Featuring a variety of sample introduction techniques that also allow TLC/MS & direct probe analysis
Orbitrap Exploris GC Mass Spectrometer by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Orbitrap Exploris GC-MS simplifies operations and offers new opportunities for analytical testing
Keep pace with changing demands, maximize system uptime, and expand laboratory capability.
Thermo Scientific TSQ Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Systems by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Confident quantitation with triple quadrupole LC-MS systems
Mass Spectrometry Systems
TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS for superb sensitivity and selectivity with outstanding reliable productivity
Eliminate unnecessary, unplanned instrument downtime, save helium and maximize productivity
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
