The Dark Comet Cometh! Imagine an asteroid with a secret double life. It looks rock-solid but behaves like a comet. These puzzling space objects are known as dark comets.
Initially, only a handful was spotted. But now, scientists have doubled that count. They found seven more, bringing the total to fourteen.
Dark comets were first suspected when an “asteroid” deviated from its expected path without a visible tail. This suggests outgassing, a common trait in comets. But why don’t they have visible tails like typical comets?
Turns out, there are two kinds. The big guys hang out in the outer solar system with highly eccentric orbites, while the little ones chill closer to home with more circular orbits.
These revelations open a Pandora’s box of questions. Where did they come from? Why the sneaky comet-like behavior? Scientists are eager to unravel these mysteries, hoping for clues about Earth’s origins.
