Evidence for liquid water on comets

Robert B. Sheldon; Richard B. Hoover

doi:10.1117/12.624092

22 September 2005 Evidence for liquid water on comets

Proceedings Volume 5906, Astrobiology and Planetary Missions; 59060E (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624092
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The electron-microscope analysis of the Orgeuil carbonaceous chondrite, thought to be the extinct core of a comet, shows many archaen microfossils adapted for both cold and hot liquid water environments. Since water is a prerequisite for life, its presence on a comet would have important implications for interplanetary cross-contamination of the planets as well as strongly impact the dynamics and evolution of a comet. Therefore we develop a wet comet model to explore the consequences of liquid water on Mars-crossing comets and hypothesize that all the periodic comets, such as P/Halley, P/Wild-2, and P/Borrelly show signs of significant liquid water processing. The wet comet model is shown to be compatible with observation, as well as provide significantly better explanations for well-known cometary anomalies. Finally, the model predicts that the results of both Rosetta and Deep Impact missions will deviate from expectations.

Citation Download Citation

Robert B. Sheldon and Richard B. Hoover "Evidence for liquid water on comets", Proc. SPIE 5906, Astrobiology and Planetary Missions, 59060E (22 September 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624092

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