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P P'Permittivity Probe' |
The Permittivity Probe performs an electrical examination of the
cometary surface layer. Two electrodes, fixed to two of the Lander's feet, are
used to inject a current into the surface. Then, the electrical potential
between two other electrodes is measured. This investigation is done in a
frequency range up to 10 kHz and is very sensitive to changes of the
permittivity of the surface material.The permittivity changes with the abundance of polar molecules, i.e. especially water. Thus, the content and loss of water in the cometary surface material can be determined, which is assumed to vary at different distances to the sun, also with the comet's 'daytime'. This will help us to learn more of the chemical composition of the entire comet and it's behaviour in loosing his volatile material to open space.
[ Deutsch | Planetary Physics | SESAME | CASSE | DIM ]