New research suggests that dark comets, which make up to 60% of near-Earth objects, may have originated from the asteroid belt and could carry subsurface ice that potentially contributed to Earth’s water. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
A University of Michigan study reveals that up to 60% of near-Earth objects may be dark comets, containing ice that might have contributed to Earth’s water supply.
These objects, combining characteristics of both asteroids and comets, likely originated from the asteroid belt between DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116207