Asteroid Scheila Sprouts a Tail and Coma

(596) Scheila, the asteroid with a tail. Image credit: Peter Lake

When is an asteroid not an asteroid? When it turns out to be a comet, of course. Has this ever happened before? Why, yes it has. In fact it was just announced December 12, 2010 that the asteroid (596) Scheila has sprouted a tail and coma! This is likely a comet that has been masquerading as an asteroid.

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(C) msimo for Universe Today, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post

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