The overall tone reflects a strong interest in the discovery, with users mentioning the distinction between two comet populations and their relevance to Earth's space environment, exemplified by posts emphasizing the significance of these objects in planetary science and the curiosity about their nature. Words like 'delineated,' 'newfound,' and references to 'dark comets' contribute to a tone of scientific importance and investigative curiosity.
AgreementModerate agreement
Most discussions seem supportive or curious about the research, indicating general agreement or acknowledgment of its significance.
InterestHigh interest
Posts show high curiosity, referencing new findings and emphasizing the importance of the study in understanding dark comets and their role in delivering materials to Earth.
EngagementModerate engagement
Comments occasionally question the omission of the research paper link and respond with clarifications, suggesting moderate engagement.
ImpactModerate impact
The focus on potential implications like water delivery and the rarity of these objects hints at a modest but meaningful scientific impact.
Abstract in brief
The study identifies two types of dark comets based on their orbits and sizes: larger, eccentric outer dark comets and smaller, nearcircular inner dark comets, suggesting they may represent different stages in comet evolution.
Some inactive near-Earth objects show nongravitational accelerations likely caused by volatiles-driven outgassing, despite showing no visible signs of dust or comae in images.
This research indicates that these dark comets could be part of a larger, previously undetected population of volatile-rich bodies that contributed essential materials like water and organics to Earth.
For some reason, the NASA folks did not link to the research paper describing the newfound dark comets.
Allow me to correct that oversight. Here is "Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes":
https://t.co/1xQgVnUhWY https://t.co/IMc35chN4p
Dec 16, 2024 · 30 likes · 2 shares · 80,166 followersView post →
MB
Michael Busch
@michael-w-busch.bsky.social · Bluesky
Today on the #arXiv :
Seligman et al. 2024, "Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes" - arxiv.org/abs/2412.07603
For those unaware:
The "dark comets" are asteroids that have orbits changing in ways that indicate out-gassing, but have no visible dust or gas tails.
Dec 9, 2024 · 10 likes · 8 shares · 20,638 followersView post →
P
PNASNews
@PNASNews · X
Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing tails. These objects may have once delivered water, organic chemicals, and other building blocks of life to Earth. In PNAS: https://t.co/yCu4swOGBl https://t.co/aESC0LQrFR
Dec 11, 2024 · 8 likes · 7 shares · 181,607 followersView post →
A
Astrobiology
@astrobiology · X
Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #astrogeology #astrochemistry #comet https://t.co/SuvihXRvR6
Dec 14, 2024 · 8 likes · 7 shares · 35,784 followersView post →
A
Astrobiology
@astrobiology.bsky.social · Bluesky
Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
astrobiology.com/2024/12/two-... #astrobiology #astronomy #astrogeology #astrochemistry #comet
This video explores the classification of dark comets based on orbit and size, highlighting their potential as volatile-rich bodies that may have contributed water and organics to Earth, and discusses nongravitational…
Interstellar comets can accelerate when passing near the Sun, potentially indicating volatile content. This study explores dark comets with different orbits and sizes, suggesting they may be key contributors to Earth's…
@Dunger71 Want me to start posting peer reviewed articles next? Then you’ll say “they can make mistakes bro” https://t.co/FE5HNrba6K
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. It will knock over the pieces, strut around, and then declare victory"
RT @coreyspowell: For some reason, the NASA folks did not link to the research paper describing the newfound dark comets.
Allow me to corr…
Dec 17, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,222 followersView post →
D
dusty
@dustyWayneJr · X
RT @coreyspowell: For some reason, the NASA folks did not link to the research paper describing the newfound dark comets.
Allow me to corr…
Dec 16, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,470 followersView post →
CP
Corey S. Powell
@coreyspowell · X
For some reason, the NASA folks did not link to the research paper describing the newfound dark comets.
Allow me to correct that oversight. Here is "Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes":
https://t.co/1xQgVnUhWY https://t.co/IMc35chN4p
Dec 16, 2024 · 30 likes · 2 shares · 80,166 followersView post →
DK
Darinko Kovilic
@darinko_kovilic · X
RT @astrobiology: Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #…
Dec 16, 2024 · 7 shares · 103 followersView post →
HR
HubBucket Inc | Self-Funded STEM Research
@HubbucketInc · X
RT @astrobiology: Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #…
Dec 15, 2024 · 7 shares · 238 followersView post →
D
Danielle
@DwithNature · X
RT @astrobiology: Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #…
RT @astrobiology: Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #…
Dec 14, 2024 · 7 shares · 168 followersView post →
A
Astrobiology
@astrobiology · X
Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://t.co/cmNUS4LuoT #astrobiology #astronomy #astrogeology #astrochemistry #comet https://t.co/SuvihXRvR6
Dec 14, 2024 · 8 likes · 7 shares · 35,784 followersView post →
A
Astrobiology
@astrobiology.bsky.social · Bluesky
Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
astrobiology.com/2024/12/two-... #astrobiology #astronomy #astrogeology #astrochemistry #comet
RT @PNASNews: Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing…
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 shares · 462 followersView post →
S
SpaceTime
@stuartgary · X
RT @PNASNews: Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing…
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 shares · 11,634 followersView post →
VW
vik wall
@vik_wall393 · X
RT @PNASNews: Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing…
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 shares · 558 followersView post →
EM
Eve Beavers-Fain BSN MPH
@espacetimeNOT · X
RT @PNASNews: Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing…
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 shares · 1,211 followersView post →
JJ
Jedi Jim
@JediJim249595 · X
RT @PNASNews: Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing…
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 shares · 186 followersView post →
P
PNASNews
@PNASNews · X
Researchers have found additional space objects like ‘Oumuamua, which are known as “dark comets,” as they do not have glowing tails. These objects may have once delivered water, organic chemicals, and other building blocks of life to Earth. In PNAS: https://t.co/yCu4swOGBl https://t.co/aESC0LQrFR
Dec 11, 2024 · 8 likes · 7 shares · 181,607 followersView post →
VE
Velit.es
@velitesgear · X
RT @velitesgear | Full Text Article: https://t.co/LPbjhdTC6g | Author: @PNASNews Two distinct populations of dark comets delineated by orbits and sizes Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 121, Issue 51, December 2024.
SignificanceDark comets are small bodie…
Today on the #arXiv :
Seligman et al. 2024, "Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes" - arxiv.org/abs/2412.07603
For those unaware:
The "dark comets" are asteroids that have orbits changing in ways that indicate out-gassing, but have no visible dust or gas tails.
Two Distinct Populations of Dark Comets Delineated by Orbits and Sizes
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.07603
Darryl Z. Seligman, Davide Farnocchia, Marco Micheli, Olivier R. Hainaut, Henry H. Hsieh, Adina D. Feinstein, Steven R. Chesley, Aster G. Taylor, Joseph Masiero, Karen J. Meech
Dec 9, 2024 · 10 likes · 8 shares · 20,638 followersView post →
N
Technosignature Searches of Interstellar Objects | PDF | Asteroid ...
News
121, e2406424121, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2406424121 Welch, J., Backer, D., Blitz, L., et al. 2009, IEEE Seligman, D. Z., Micheli, M., Farnocchia, D., et al. 2025 ...