"Snow" on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars

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In summary: Summary: The "snow" seen in the initial movie from ESA's Rosetta mission is not actually snow, but rather stars and icy volatiles. The confusion was resolved through image processing.
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TL;DR Summary
"Snow" on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars.
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9.) Snowy weather on comets. The ESA’s Rosetta mission witnessed cometary “snow” firsthand.

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The most spectacular movie from ESA's Rosetta mission shows what the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko looks like, including the volatile ices that sublimate and re-freeze when they're in sunlight or shadow, respectively, causing this snow-like behavior.
ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM

However, landru79 (twitter) has rearranged the frames to show that most of the falling "snow" is actually background stars.
P38FEXeyvW5SK7smWHCEwS-970-80.gif
 
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The snow that is not stars is snow. Is this unclear?
 
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Keith_McClary said:
Summary:: "Snow" on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars.

Snowy weather on comets. The ESA’s Rosetta mission witnessed cometary “snow” firsthand.
Amazing clip!
 
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Keith_McClary said:
Summary:: "Snow" on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars.

This statement is, of course, incorrect

Vanadium 50 said:
The snow that is not stars is snow. Is this unclear?

Exactly, the background points of light are mostly stars. The fast moving foreground streaks are the "snow" icy volatiles
 
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davenn said:
This statement is, of course, incorrect
To be quite honest, the stuff in the initial movie that looks like snow is not snow. We don't see the 'real snow' looking like it does - except perhaps in a short film clip when we're driving though it? A very easy mistake. It needed the image processing to resolve the confusion - cleverly done, imo.
 

FAQ: "Snow" on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars

What is the significance of finding snow on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko?

Finding snow on a comet is significant because it provides evidence that the comet contains frozen water, which is a key ingredient for life. This discovery also sheds light on the formation and evolution of comets, as well as the potential for water to exist on other celestial bodies.

How did scientists determine that the snow on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is actually stars?

Scientists used data from the Rosetta spacecraft, which orbited comet 67P, to analyze the composition of the snow. They found that the snow contained a high amount of carbon monoxide, a gas commonly found in stars. This led them to conclude that the snow on the comet is actually made up of tiny frozen stars.

Can we see the snow on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Earth?

No, the snow on comet 67P is not visible from Earth. The comet is located in the outer solar system, beyond the orbit of Mars, and is too small and faint to be seen with the naked eye. It can only be observed with powerful telescopes or spacecraft.

How does the presence of snow on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko affect our understanding of the solar system?

The discovery of snow on comet 67P provides valuable insights into the composition and history of the solar system. It suggests that comets, which were previously thought to be made up mostly of ice and dust, may also contain more complex molecules and compounds. This challenges our traditional understanding of the origins of the solar system and opens up new avenues for research.

Could the snow on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko support life?

While the snow on comet 67P contains water, it is unlikely to support life as we know it. The comet is located in a very cold and inhospitable environment, and the snow is not in a liquid form. However, the discovery of snow on the comet does raise the possibility of other celestial bodies in our solar system containing water and potentially being able to support life.

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