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three times from the Earth to the Moon: So far extends the tail of Asteroid P/2010 A2. The observation is all the more unique because asteroids typically do not have a tail.
divresearchers from various U.S. universities and institutes have studied an unusual celestial body with a telescope in Arizona: The asteroid P/2010 A2 with the cryptic name therefore has a one million kilometers long tail.
The amount is so much greater than previously thought, said the National Optical Astronomy Observatory with. P/2010 A2 scientists had discovered more than three years ago.
unusual X-form
The celestial body has reported to have an unusual asteroid for X-shape with a long tail. Researchers suggest that this structure is caused by a collision with another asteroid, or by its own rotation.
Asteroids, also called planetoids, are considered to be remnants from the early days of our solar system. They are leftover building materials of planets and moons. Their exact composition is therefore of particular interest to astronomers.
tail with asteroids rare
do you expect from these celestial bodies insights into the origin of our planetary system. Asteroids have – unlike comet -. Usually no tail
Although
comets as well as asteroids are leftover from the time of the creation of our solar system some 4.6 billion years ago. But while asteroids are made of rock or metal and usually revolve around the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, comets are more comparable with giant dirty snowballs.
When comets approach on their journey through space the sun, they often form from gas and dust tails, which are always directed away from the sun.
Photo: National Optical Astronomy Observatory size comparison between asteroids and sun-tail
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