A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed a new type of dark comet, doubling the known number to 14. These mysterious objects were initially thought to be asteroids but are now classified as dark comets, exhibiting hybrid behavior between asteroids and comets.
The first dark comet was discovered in 2016 by noticing an unusual perturbation in the trajectory of near-Earth asteroid 2003 RM. The object’s shape and orbit defied explanation, prompting further investigation. The discovery of ‘Oumuamua in 2017 provided a crucial connection to similar objects found later.
Researchers have identified two distinct populations of dark comets based on their orbits and size. Outer dark comets are characterized by highly eccentric orbits, while inner dark comets have nearly circular orbits. These findings suggest that dark comets may be more prevalent than previously thought, with 60% of near-Earth objects potentially being part of a larger body in the asteroid belt.
The discovery of new dark comets raises important questions about their potential role in delivering building blocks of life to Earth. Scientists believe that these mysterious objects may have played a crucial role in the origin of life on our planet, and further research is needed to understand their significance.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/enigmatic-dark-comets-come-in-two-distinct-types-study-finds-2000536723