‘Impact’ Comet Is Rich in Carbon
When NASA’s Deep Impact projectile hit Comet Tempel 1, it produced a giant plume of gas and dust far richer than expected in carbon compounds, reinforcing the view that comets may have contributed the chemical raw materials that produced life on Earth.
Scientists said Tuesday they do not know how typical Tempel 1 is, but they expect eventually to put together the first-ever complete profile of the substances that comets may have brought to Earth 4.5 million years ago.
‘Impact’ Comet Is Rich in Carbon