Work Conducted at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A group of researchers based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has resolved the nature of a puzzling object near Earth's orbit. By accurately monitoring its movement through space and applying powerful observatories capable of capturing dim objects, the team determined that the body is not a standard asteroid.
The object displays a mixed character. Earlier photographs did not show clear signs of comet-like behavior, which had allowed it to be considered an asteroid. The new investigation brought to light features associated with comets.
Approach and Findings
The scientists relied on exact measurements of the object's trajectory together with instruments that record very faint sources of light. This approach made it possible to establish the true identity of the body traveling close to Earth's path.
- Lead institution located in Southern California
- Methods used: motion tracking and faint-object imaging
- Result: near-Earth object with comet-like properties
The outcomes improve understanding of the variety among near-Earth objects and demonstrate that visual appearance alone may not be sufficient to assign a body to a specific class.