Letters to the Editor Astronomy

Readers ponder mysterious origins of oxygen on comets and Earth

By Science News Staff

- More than 2 years ago

Molecule mystery

The Rosetta spacecraft discovered oxygen leaking from comet 67P, Christopher Crockett reported in “Oxygen in comet surprises scientists” (SN: 11/28/15, p. 6). The molecules’ presence supports a long-held belief that comets are pristine relics of the solar system’s birth.

Reader R. Powell questioned that assumption.