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A strange class of space rock known as a "dark comet" has qualities of both asteroids and comets — and the hard-to-spot objects may pose a larger threat to Earth than we thought, according to new research.
Mysterious, nearly invisible objects known as "dark comets" may pose a bigger threat to Earth than scientists thought, new research suggests.
These small, rapidly spinning objects wander near Earth, likely after migrating from more distant reaches of the solar system. They might be a source of water and other volatile elements — and also a potent source of danger.
Usually, comets are very distinct from asteroids. Comets come from the outermost region of the solar system, where temperatures are low enough to allow molecules like water to freeze. While comets typically have stable orbits, occasionally they can be disturbed by gravitational interactions with the giant planets, sending some of the icy rocks spiraling toward the inner solar system. When they do, the heat from the sun causes them to disintegrate — a process that also gives comets their signature tails.
Asteroids, on the other hand, typically live in the inner solar system, usually between Mars and Jupiter. They are much rockier than their cometary cousins and, therefore, can survive much longer in the glare of the sun. But they, too, occasionally tumble into unstable orbits that bring them dangerously close to Earth.
www.livescience.com
Mysterious, nearly invisible objects known as "dark comets" may pose a bigger threat to Earth than scientists thought, new research suggests.
These small, rapidly spinning objects wander near Earth, likely after migrating from more distant reaches of the solar system. They might be a source of water and other volatile elements — and also a potent source of danger.
Usually, comets are very distinct from asteroids. Comets come from the outermost region of the solar system, where temperatures are low enough to allow molecules like water to freeze. While comets typically have stable orbits, occasionally they can be disturbed by gravitational interactions with the giant planets, sending some of the icy rocks spiraling toward the inner solar system. When they do, the heat from the sun causes them to disintegrate — a process that also gives comets their signature tails.
Asteroids, on the other hand, typically live in the inner solar system, usually between Mars and Jupiter. They are much rockier than their cometary cousins and, therefore, can survive much longer in the glare of the sun. But they, too, occasionally tumble into unstable orbits that bring them dangerously close to Earth.
'Dark comets' may be a much bigger threat to Earth than we thought, new study warns
A strange class of space rock known as a "dark comet" has qualities of both asteroids and comets — and the hard-to-spot objects may pose a larger threat to Earth than we thought, according to new research.
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