Advertisement

  1. National

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.

View all 46 updates ›

ESA release images of Philae's first touchdown

The European Space Agency has released images showing the area where the Philae craft first touched down on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

The first image shows the area three minutes before touchdown. Credit: European Space Agency

After this landing the craft bounced and came to rest in a different area, which scientists say is away from the area shown in the images.

This image shows the site a minute after touchdown, with the green spot marking where scientists think Philae landed. Credit: European

The images were taken by the Rosetta orbiter as it flew over the landing site.

The first image shows the area just before the landing, the second just after.

Scientists say the dark area in the second shot is strong evidence it is the landing site, with the green dot indicating the craft's designated landing spot.

More on this story