Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko apparently doesn't have a magnetic field, according to European Space Agency's Rosetta mission scientists.

The team obtained clear results regarding the comet's magnetism, according to Hans-Ulrich Auster of the ROMAP mission (Rosetta Lander Magnetometer and Plasma Monitor). Measuring at four points, the team discovered there was no magnetic field at fantastic resolution, a result they didn't expect. 

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The ROMAP instruments on board the Rosetta probe is searching for any magnetic field on the comet that should have formed billions of years ago during the formation of the solar system.

Prior attempts at detecting magnetization around comets have proven challenging since precise and reliable estimates are disrupted by the comet's solar wind activity. Theories suggest it's pivotal for stars and planets to gain a magnetic field to accelerate their formation, which is something the ROMAP mission hopes to answer.

After Philae's landing on the comet in November 2014, measurements were taken during touchdown when the lander bounced along the surface before settling into a deep shadow of a cliff.

These findings show there is no apparent magnetic field on Comet 67P. This suggests these forces are not important as planetary building blocks of life, which is a theory scientists thought would apply to all comets.

These latest results of the Rosetta mission will also be announced during the annual European Geosciences Union General Assembly.

To date, scientists are still anxiously waiting for the Philae lander to wake up from its slumber as the comet zooms closer to the orbit of the sun. Ever since its rough landing on the comet, Philae slipped into hibernation since it can't collect solar energy while it lays in the shadow of a cliff.

Auster is optimistic the lander will soon wake up and revealed there is a switch that activates the lander when the temperature increases to -45 degrees Celsius. Moving closer to the Sun can soon make this a possibility. This study was published in the journal, Science.

TagsRosetta: Comet 67P Has No Magnetic Field, ESA, comet 67P, rosetta probe, philae lander, comet 67P magnetic field, ESA rosetta comet 67P philae