Is it an asteroid or comet? This strange solar system object is actually both.

[Admin]

Scientists have identified a rare solar system object with traits of both an asteroid and a comet.

Is it an asteroid or comet? This strange solar system object is actually both. : Read more

 

[Catastrophe]

Not the first to be thus described. In fact, there is a case for calling comets, which have run out of volatiles, asteroids. It depends on the emphasis you want to give to orbital e and i.

Asteroids might be regarded as comets which lost their volatiles before/during formation. That would put s spanner in the orbital characteristic (e and i ) property, but it all depends on your perspective:
composition versus orbital characteristics.

Cat

 

[sam85geo]

So a transitional astronomical object, asteroid/comet, was observed while transitioning? Fascinating; I hope there is follow-up on this object.