Scientists have identified seven new "dark comets," doubling the known population of these unusual celestial objects to 14. Dark comets are fascinating hybrids: they look like asteroids but behave like comets by accelerating unexpectedly, possibly due to gas jets escaping from their surfaces.
Unlike traditional comets, however, they lack the glowing tail typically associated with such objects. A recent study has revealed that dark comets can be grouped into two distinct types based on their size and orbit, shedding new light on their mysterious nature.
Dark Comets: From 2003 RM to 'Oumuamua, Scientists Unlock Two Unique Types
The story of dark comets began in 2016 with the discovery of a near-Earth asteroid named 2003 RM, Gizmodo reported.
Its odd trajectory hinted at comet-like behavior, yet no visible tail or gas emissions were detected.
Scientists were puzzled by this unusual celestial object, which didn't fit neatly into any category. The mystery deepened a year later when the interstellar object 'Oumuamua zipped through the solar system, displaying similar oddities.
This spurred scientists to investigate further, eventually labeling both objects as dark comets.
In their latest research, scientists analyzed data from these and other newly discovered dark comets. They found that the objects fall into two distinct groups. Larger dark comets, known as "outer dark comets," follow highly elliptical orbits that take them farther out into the solar system.
In contrast, smaller "inner dark comets" travel in nearly circular orbits closer to the Sun. This distinction offers new insights into the origins and characteristics of these enigmatic objects.
Dark Comets May Be the Missing Link to Earth's Water and Organic Origins
Dark comets are not just curiosities; they may hold clues about the origins of life on Earth. Scientists theorize that these objects could have delivered essential materials, such as water and organic compounds, to our planet billions of years ago.
Since dark comets contain volatile substances like ice, they might have been instrumental in shaping the early conditions necessary for life.
According to Forbes, the significance of dark comets goes beyond their potential role in Earth's history. A recent estimate suggests that up to 60% of near-Earth objects could be dark comets, meaning they are far more common than previously thought.
These objects likely originate in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where collisions may have fragmented larger bodies into smaller pieces that eventually migrated toward Earth.
As researchers continue to study dark comets, they hope to uncover more about their composition and behavior. Each discovery brings scientists closer to understanding these mysterious wanderers of the solar system and their potential role in the grand story of life.
