near-Earth objects Archives

The orbits of the fourteen currently known dark comets, Jupiter, and the Earth. One orbital period is shown for each object starting on the vernal equinox in 2023 March, and the points represent the corresponding initial positions of the Earth and of Jupiter. The left and right panels highlight the orbits of the outer and inner dark comets respectively. Orbits of the newly discovered dark comets are labeled with italicized font, and the orbits of previously reported objects are labeled in roman font. --PNAS

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Status Report

Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes

by Keith CowingDecember 14, 2024December 14, 2024

Small bodies are capable of delivering essential prerequisites for the development of life, such as volatiles and organics, to the terrestrial planets. For example, empirical evidence suggests that water was […]

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Press Release

The Origins Of Dark Comets

by Keith CowingJuly 23, 2024July 22, 2024

Up to 60% of near-Earth objects could be dark comets, mysterious asteroids that orbit the sun in our solar system that likely contain or previously contained ice and could have […]