We discuss mini MS systems in terms of individual components and at a systems level.
Portable systems from academic and commercial laboratories are emphasized, but meso …

In situ research of cometary chemistry began when measurements from the Giotto mission at
Comet 1P/Halley revealed the presence of complex organics in the coma. New telescopes …

Context. Water is a key molecule in the physics and chemistry of star and planet formation,
but it is difficult to observe from Earth. The Herschel Space Observatory provided …

The importance of comets for the origin of life on Earth has been advocated for many
decades. Amino acids are key ingredients in chemistry, leading to life as we know it. Many …

The provenance of water and organic compounds on Earth and other terrestrial planets has
been discussed for a long time without reaching a consensus. One of the best means to …

Context. The ESA Rosetta spacecraft (S/C) is tracking comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
in close vicinity. This prolonged encounter enables studying the evolution of the volatile …

Comets are considered to be some of the most pristine and unprocessed Solar system
objects accessible to in situ exploration. Investigating their molecular and elemental …

Comets contain the best-preserved material from the beginning of our planetary system.
Their nuclei and comae composition reveal clues about physical and chemical conditions …

ABSTRACT Our modern day Solar System has 4.6× 109 yr of evolution behind it with just a
few relics of its birth conditions remaining. Comets are thought to be some of the most …

The origin of cometary matter and the potential contribution of comets to inner-planet
atmospheres are long-standing problems. During a series of dedicated low-altitude orbits …