Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft is on an exciting journey. After successfully visiting the asteroid Ryugu, it’s now headed toward a new target: the small, swiftly rotating asteroid called 1998 KY26. Scientists anticipate that Hayabusa2 will arrive there by July 2031, sparking curiosity about what it might discover.
1998 KY26 is unique. It’s considered a candidate for a new type of celestial object known as a “dark comet.” In 2017, a cosmic traveler named ‘Oumuamua changed how scientists think about such objects, making them wonder if some asteroids behave similarly to comets. Asteroids are rocky bodies orbiting the sun, while comets, often called “dirty snowballs,” release gas when they get close to the sun.
Experts suggest that 1998 KY26 might indeed be a dark comet, making Hayabusa2’s visit worthwhile. However, Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb offers a fascinating alternative view. In a recent paper, he speculates that 1998 KY26 could be something unusual — possibly a remnant from a failed Soviet space mission, specifically the Phobos 1 probe launched in 1988.
Loeb explains that Phobos 1, which never completed its mission due to a software error, might have drifted into a similar orbit as 1998 KY26. He notes that both objects share similar sizes and shapes, raising intriguing questions about their origins. Though this idea may seem far-fetched, Loeb suggests that scientists should explore all possibilities, including objects from human history in space.
If 1998 KY26 turns out to be a man-made object, it could give fresh insights into the technology of the past and challenge current understandings of space phenomena. This brings to light a growing trend in space research: examining the potential of artificial objects when studying celestial bodies.
In anticipation of Hayabusa2’s findings in 2031, researchers emphasize the importance of studying not only asteroids and comets but also historical human-made objects that could be floating in space. The ongoing discussion and research surrounding these possibilities not only drive science forward but also enrich our understanding of space exploration’s history.
No one knows what discoveries await. Hayabusa2’s adventure with 1998 KY26 promises to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing exploration of our solar system.
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Avi Loeb, asteroid Ryugu, dark comet, Soviet space program
