What motivates scientists to spend their careers pursuing comets? The primary objective of missions like Rosetta is to collect comprehensive data on comets, which may shed light on the origins of our solar system and potentially the beginnings of water and life on Earth—elements that some believe were delivered through comet impacts. Comets are remnants from the solar system’s formation billions of years ago. The query “How did our solar system originate?” is not only captivating but also profoundly abstract, often disconnected from the everyday questions we grapple with in our personal and professional lives. So, what entices scientists to commit themselves to this journey? I spoke with several members of the Rosetta team to discover their motivations for dedicating decades to studying these distant celestial bodies composed of rock, ice, and gas orbiting the sun.
“It’s genuine exploration, and what could be more thrilling than that?” says Dr. Alan Miller, a radio astronomer who has been part of the Rosetta mission for 20 years. At the start of the project, he was the youngest radio astronomer on the team, which was intentional given the mission’s longevity. When I inquired about his enduring interest in the project, he shared insights on analyzing the composition, speed, and temperature of gases in the comet’s coma—the cloud of gases enveloping the comet—as well as its nucleus. “Ultimately, every scientist wants to witness something that hasn’t been seen before, to unravel a mystery. That’s incredibly exciting. It’s this emotional aspect that drives us daily and keeps us awake at night,” he explained.
Dr. Sarah Collins and Dr. Tom Reed, who collaborate on an ultraviolet spectrometer that evaluates the comet’s surface and tail, echoed this sentiment. They find their dedication fueled by the thrill of discovery inherent in the Rosetta project. “This is true exploration,” says Collins. “What could be more exhilarating?” Reed concurs, stating, “Experiencing firsts is exhilarating for good reason: the unknowns are just that—unknown. You can speculate, but you’ll never truly know.”
The groundbreaking landing of Philae on comet 67P was a monumental achievement, marking the first time a lander touched down on a comet, and it’s likely the first aspect of the Rosetta mission that many have heard about. However, the journey involved numerous milestones. The mission was envisioned in the late 1970s, approved in 1993, and launched in 2004. Dr. Miller recalls a particularly exciting early moment: “When your instrument survives the launch and you power it on for the first time to capture what we call ‘first light,’ it’s exhilarating. We all go, ‘wow!’” The Rosetta spacecraft, equipped with various instruments, experienced multiple “first light” moments along its journey. After chasing comet 67P beyond Jupiter, the spacecraft entered hibernation for over two years due to insufficient solar power. Dr. Ethan Brooks, who examines the comet’s dust environment, reveals that his most thrilling moment came not from the recent landing but rather when Rosetta awakened from hibernation in January. “It’s uncommon for a spacecraft to be silent for so long, and there were doubts about whether Rosetta and its instruments would still be operational,” he said.
“I have colleagues focused on the lander, and for them, this week was monumental,” Brooks remarked from Darmstadt on the day of the landing. “It was exhilarating to be a part of this tense moment, but I was also relieved that my moment of stress had passed, allowing me to watch others experience theirs.”
Collaboration is integral to the Rosetta mission. The data being gathered by the Rosetta and Philae teams is diverse: some scientists delve into the study of dust, while others focus on ice and gases. It is this collective data that will ultimately provide answers to profound questions. Dr. Rachel Green, who studies the comet’s nucleus, anticipates learning about its interior, which will illuminate how the first macroscopic bodies in the solar nebula formed 4.5 billion years ago—an essential step toward understanding planet formation. Meanwhile, Dr. Miller is investigating the interaction between the comet’s surface and coma, and how both evolve as the comet orbits the solar system and undergoes temperature changes. “Understanding how the nucleus transforms each time it orbits the sun is crucial for extrapolating the solar system’s formation,” he clarifies. Although each scientist works independently, their discoveries become significant when integrated. “We concentrate on specific elements,” Miller adds, “and periodically reassess whether we’re making progress toward our overarching goals.”
Many Rosetta scientists describe their passion as composed of two facets. “Head and heart,” Dr. Brooks puts it. “On one side is the technical detail—the mechanics and problem-solving. On the other is the joy of science: uncovering the unknown aspects of the universe and our place within it.” Reed reflects philosophically, “I sometimes view science as an art form. People may not immediately see how it improves their lives—this won’t lead to a better toaster, for example—but just like art, it feels significant. It justifies using vital resources, whether that’s taxpayer money or public attention. It feels worthwhile to pursue.”
In summary, the pursuit of comet exploration represents a fusion of technical prowess and emotional drive, propelling scientists like Miller, Collins, and Brooks to unravel the mysteries of our solar system’s origins. The challenges they face are numerous, but the rewards of discovery are unparalleled.
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