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Near-Earth asteroid not an asteroid at all
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- On August 28, 2025, astronomers failed to locate asteroid 1998 SH2 at its expected position using NASA's Deep Space Network, leading to the discovery that its orbit was influenced by nongravitational forces.
- Analysis revealed that 1998 SH2 was not an asteroid but an active comet, confirmed by observations from telescopes in Hawaii and Chile showing a faint tail, a key comet characteristic.
- This reclassification highlights a subcategory known as dark comets, which exhibit orbital perturbations without obvious visible signs like tails or comas, complicating their identification.
- The findings emphasize the importance of accurate classification for planetary defense, as understanding whether an object is a comet or asteroid affects predictions of its orbit and potential Earth impact risks.
- Continued study of faint near-Earth objects with powerful telescopes may lead to more reclassifications, improving our knowledge of the solar system and enhancing Earth's safety measures.
