Thursday 6 August 2009

Comeroid? Half Comet-Half Asteroid a Fluke? Nope

(Sal ons dit `n Comeroid noem - HP)

Back in 1996, astronomers discovered a strange object in the asteroid belt. They decided it was either a "lost" comet or an icy asteroid, as it ejected dust like a comet but had an orbit like an asteroid. No one had ever seen anything like the object, called 133P. Ever since it was found, astronomers have wondered if it was just an oddity — one of a kind. We now know it is not, and the discovery of more of these half asteroids/half comets means there is a new class of objects in our solar system.

Complete article...

Source: Universe Today