NASA researchers have discovered seven new “dark comets,” bringing the total to 14. Dark comets are tricky because they look like asteroids but behave like comets. The first dark comet was spotted less than two years ago!
According to NASA, these dark comets fall into two main groups:
1. Outer dark comets: These are bigger and hang out in the outer solar system with odd, stretched-out orbits, similar to Jupiter’s family of comets.
2. Inner dark comets: These are smaller, orbiting closely to the Sun in nearly circular paths.
The excitement around dark comets began back in March 2016 when scientists noticed a mysterious space rock called 2003 RM. It moved slightly off its predicted path, which usually means a comet is outgassing, or shooting out gas. However, scientists couldn’t see a comet tail, leaving them puzzled.
In 2017, a first-ever object from outside our solar system called ‘Oumuamua was discovered. Like 2003 RM, it behaved strangely, further raising interest in these kinds of objects. Fast forward to 2023, and researchers found enough dark comets to create their own category!
Darryl Seligman, a key scientist from Michigan State University, says studying dark comets can help us understand how materials necessary for life reached Earth. The more we learn about these cosmic objects, the clearer the story of our planet’s origins becomes!
