Robotic space probe, Rosetta, of European Space Agency (ESA) has been flying along comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since last year's August. The probe has provided valuable information about the evolution of comets. Now on Thursday, the probe collected scientific data while following comet past the Sun. According to scientists, the data captured by the probe could provide help in understanding the origin of life on our planet.

The probe has captured some particles and gas put off by the comet from the Kuiper Belt. Rosetta captured the samples and pictures when the comet came within 116 million miles of the sun. According to scientists from ESA, they have planned to analyze the data gathered by the probe in the coming months.

While proving information on samples collected by the probe, Nicola Altobelli, Rosetta Project scientist, said, "It is really a fantastic milestone that has been achieved by Rosetta today. Beyond the obvious scientific achievement, it was also technically a masterpiece in space engineering".
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The ESA scientists said the probe managed to collect essential information, but Philae is still incommunicado as some of its main components are not working properly. The scientists also said there are chances that the lander will start working and transmitting data soon.

As per Sylvian Lodiot, engineer at the space agency's European Space Operations Centre in Germany, the images captured by Rosetta demonstrated that the comet was very active as heat and heat buffeted its surface.