The Hubble telescope has found new type of unusual space objects

Astronomers of the Max Planck Institute by means of the legendary Hubble Telescope have found an unusual space object — an active binary asteroid which has received the name Body 288P.

Really, nothing to researchers of space was necessary to meet similar earlier. Body 288P represents at the same time two rare species of asteroids – binary, that is consisting from two the stones rotating from each other, and active which reminds the comet reserving a characteristic gas and dust loop more.

Before the difference of an asteroid from a comet didn't raise doubts. The asteroid is a large stone or metal fragment while the comet consists of the firm kernel surrounded with a gas cloud. At approach to the Sun it begins to shine, forming an above-mentioned loop.

However in process of studying of these celestial bodies, the side between them is gradually washed away. Cases when asteroids, forming clouds of dust and gas, become similar to comets are frequent. However, in Solar system it is a little of them – about 20. All of them are in a belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter.

Body 288P has been found by the Hubble Telescope in 2011. He then was still active, but in a type of big remoteness is badly distinguishable. Everything has changed in September, 2016 when the asteroid has as much as possible approached the Sun, being on removal from Earth in 200 million km.

Astronomers could consider more attentively the space object lit with the Sun and have found out that it consists of several fragments and has an unusual configuration. The majority of binary asteroids consist of the basic, larger fragment and its "satellite" that more small.

Body 288P consists of approximately equal fragments with a diameter about 1 km, but they are from each other much further, than it "is accepted" at binary asteroids. At the same time they quickly rotate from each other at distance about 100 km.

According to scientists, Body 288P was created as a result of a break on two parts because of fast rotation about 5000 years ago.

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