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Philae probe finds 'organic molecules' on comet

Scientists working on data collected the Philae probe have said that during a drill for a soil sample the Philae probe was able to "sniff" organic molecules.

Earlier, incredible images showed the moment the Philae probe dropped from its satellite and first landed on Comet 67P five days ago.

The high-resolution shots, taken by the Rosetta satellite's narrow-angle camera, capture the 30 minutes since the probe touched down on the comet's surface.

At the moment scientists have lost contact with the probe after its batteries died. It will only wake up if enough sunlight recharges its solar panels.

But the mission is still deemed a success as it is the first spacecraft to ever land on a comet.

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Philae begins drilling into surface of comet

Comet probe Philae has started drilling into the surface of the comet which it landed on this Wednesday.

But there may not be enough power left in the craft's depleting batteries to obtain scientific data from the samples it collects.

An image of the Philae lander on the comet's surface.

Philae is believed to be tilted to one side in the shadow of a crater wall and is not getting enough light to recharge its batteries using electricity generated by its solar panels.

With less than 24 hours before the craft's primary battery power runs out, scientists are actively considering taking a last-ditch gamble and "hopping" the lander to a sunnier spot. Read: Scientists debating whether to 'hop' Philae to new spot

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