In 2017, the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, with an elongated shape, was identified as a hybrid asteroid-comet, later termed a dark comet.

New research has doubled the number of known dark comets, discovering seven more and revealing two distinct populations based on their size and orbit.

These objects, with both asteroid and comet-like behaviors, might have played a key role in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth.

Researchers also suggest that many near-Earth objects could be dark comets, possibly originating from the asteroid belt, Gizmodo has reported.

This discovery advances our understanding of these mysterious celestial bodies.

Written by B.C. Begley