Jakarta - In a groundbreaking discovery,NASA scientists have unveiled the existence of “dark comets,” celestial bodies that share the composition of traditional comets but lack their iconic glowing tails. These enigmatic objects, which move around the Sun, have sparked a wave of curiosity among astronomers and researchers worldwide.
The study, titled “Two distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes” and published in PNAS on October 22, 2024, by darryl Z Seligman and colleagues, reveals that dark comets are divided into two distinct types.
Two types of Dark Comets
Darryl Seligman, a researcher from Michigan State University and the study’s lead, explained that the frist type, known as “outer dark comets,” shares characteristics with the Jupiter family comets. “They have very eccentric (or elliptical) orbits and are larger (hundreds of meters or more),” Seligman told Science Alert.
The second type, referred too as “inner dark comets,” orbits closer to the inner solar system, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. “This type of comet moves in an almost circular orbit, and is smaller (tens of meters or less),” Seligman added.
Similar to Asteroids, But…
Davide Farnocchia, a NASA scientist and co-author of the study, noted that dark comets resemble asteroids in appearance but behave like comets. “Comets consist of chunks of rock filled with ice that sublimate when heated, while asteroids are chunks of rock and metal that are not as cold as ice,” Farnocchia explained.
The identity of these dark comets was first revealed in 2023, with six additional discoveries following. Now, an international team of astronomers has uncovered another seven, bringing the total known dark comets to 14.
“Comets are divided into two types based on their size, namely larger comets in the outer solar system, while smaller comets in the inner solar system,” Farnocchia told Science Alert.The primary distinction between dark comets and regular comets lies in their tails. Researchers have yet to detect any tail on these dark comets, leaving a significant mystery. “however, no matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t find any sign of a tail on this comet.It just looked like any other asteroid—just a speck of light. So, for now, we’re dealing with a strange celestial object that we don’t fully understand yet,” Farnocchia said.
The Role of Dark Comets in Earth’s Origins
This discovery is expected to expand our understanding of dark comets, though researchers remain unable to pinpoint their origin or the factors driving their acceleration.
“Dark comets are a potential new source that has delivered materials to Earth that are necessary for the advancement of life,” Seligman stated. “The more we can learn about them, the better we can understand their role in the origins of our planet,” he concluded.
Key Insights on dark Comets
Below is a summary of the key findings from the study:
| Type | Orbit | Size |
| Outer Dark Comets | Eccentric (elliptical) | Hundreds of meters or more |
| Inner Dark Comets | Almost circular | Tens of meters or less |
This discovery not only challenges our understanding of celestial bodies but also opens new avenues for exploring the origins of life on Earth.As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of these dark comets, the scientific community eagerly awaits further revelations.For more insights into this groundbreaking study, visit Science Alert and PNAS.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Dark Comets: A Conversation with dr. Elena Martinez
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA scientists have identified “dark comets,” celestial bodies that share the composition of traditional comets but lack their iconic glowing tails. These enigmatic objects, which orbit the Sun, have sparked curiosity among astronomers worldwide. To delve deeper into this interesting topic,we sat down with Dr. Elena Martinez, an astrophysicist specializing in planetary science and a key contributor to the study published in PNAS. Join us as we explore the two types of dark comets, their unique characteristics, and their potential role in the origins of life on Earth.
Two Types of Dark Comets: Outer and Inner
Senior Editor: Dr. Martinez, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the basics. The study identifies two distinct types of dark comets. Can you explain the differences between outer and inner dark comets?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Absolutely. Outer dark comets are larger, typically hundreds of meters or more in size, and have highly eccentric, or elliptical, orbits. these characteristics are similar to those of Jupiter-family comets. On the othre hand,inner dark comets are smaller,often tens of meters or less,and orbit closer to the inner solar system,including planets like Mercury,Venus,Earth,and Mars. Their orbits are almost circular, which sets them apart from their outer counterparts.
Dark Comets vs. Asteroids: A Blurred Line
Senior editor: The study mentions that dark comets resemble asteroids in appearance but behave like comets. Can you elaborate on this?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Certainly.Dark comets are composed of rock and ice, much like traditional comets. When heated,the ice sublimates,creating the potential for a tail. However, unlike regular comets, dark comets don’t exhibit visible tails, making them appear more like asteroids. This lack of a tail is one of the key mysteries we’re trying to unravel. Despite their asteroid-like appearance, their behavior—such as their acceleration and orbital dynamics—aligns more closely with comets.
The Discovery of Dark comets: A Growing List
Senior Editor: The study reveals that the number of known dark comets has grown considerably.can you tell us more about this?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Yes, the first dark comet was identified in 2023, followed by six more. This study adds another seven to the list, bringing the total to 14. These discoveries have been made possible through advanced observational techniques and international collaboration. Each new discovery provides more data to help us understand these elusive objects.
The Role of Dark Comets in Earth’s Origins
Senior Editor: One of the moast intriguing aspects of this research is the potential role of dark comets in the origins of life on Earth. Can you explain this connection?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Dark comets are thought to be a potential source of materials that could have contributed to the development of life on earth. they may have delivered water and organic compounds, which are essential for life as we certainly know it.By studying these comets, we can gain insights into the early solar system and the processes that may have led to the emergence of life on our planet.
Key Insights and Future research
Senior Editor: what are the key takeaways from this study,and what’s next for dark comet research?
Dr. Elena Martinez: The study highlights the diversity of dark comets,categorizing them into two types based on their orbits and sizes. It also underscores the challenges in detecting and understanding these objects due to their lack of visible tails. Moving forward, we aim to use more advanced telescopes and observational methods to uncover more dark comets and study their properties in greater detail. This will help us better understand their origins, behavior, and potential impact on planetary systems.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for sharing your insights. This has been a fascinating discussion, and we look forward to following your future research on dark comets.
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you. It’s an exciting field, and I’m eager to see what we’ll discover next.
