Cosmic Identity Revealed: NASA Unmasks 'Asteroid' 1998 SH2 as Active Comet After 30 Years
For nearly three decades, astronomers believed 1998 SH2 was an asteroid. Now, NASA's Deep Space Network and advanced telescopes have revealed its true nature: a faint, active comet. This cosmic reclassification, driven by subtle orbital discrepancies and confirmed by observations of a faint tail, holds significant implications for planetary defense, enhancing our ability to predict the paths of near-Earth objects and safeguard Earth from potential impacts.