The detection of solid phosphorus and fluorine in the dust from the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

TL;DR

This study reports the detection of phosphorus and fluorine in solid dust particles from comet 67P's coma, suggesting comets could have contributed essential elements to early Earth.

Contribution

First detection of phosphorus and fluorine in solid cometary dust using COSIMA, expanding understanding of comet composition and potential role in delivering life-essential elements.

Findings

Detected phosphorus-containing minerals, excluding apatite.

Identified fluorine via CF+ ions in comet dust.

Supports cometary contribution to Earth's prebiotic elements.

Abstract

Here, we report the detection of phosphorus and fluorine in solid particles collected from the inner coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured with the COmetary Secondary Ion Mass Analyser (COSIMA) instrument on-board the Rosetta spacecraft, only a few kilometers away from the comet nucleus. We have detected phosphorus-containing minerals from the presented COSIMA mass spectra, and can rule out e.g. apatite minerals as the source of phosphorus. This result completes the detection of life-necessary CHNOPS-elements in solid cometary matter, indicating cometary delivery as a potential source of these elements to the young Earth. Fluorine was also detected with CF$^+$ secondary ions originating from the cometary dust.