Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Astronomers Discover Comet Mistaken for Asteroid
Astronomers thought they were tracking an asteroid called 1998 SH2 for 28 years.
But in 2025, they noticed it wasn't where it should be.
Using radar, they found out it wasn't an asteroid at all, but a comet that was hiding in plain sight.
This discovery shows how space can still surprise us, even when we think we know what we're looking at.
Astronomers tracked an object believed to be an asteroid for 28 years.
In 2025, the object was not where it was expected to be.
NASA used radar to discover the object was actually a comet.
The object was initially classified as 1998 SH2.
The discovery highlights the importance of continuous observation in astronomy.
- Who
- Astronomers and NASA
- What
- Discovered that an object initially classified as an asteroid is actually a comet
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Near-Earth space
- Why
- The object was not where it was expected to be, leading to further investigation
Scientific Curiosity
Resource Allocation
Importance of Discovery
Scientific Curiosity
The discovery highlights the importance of continuous observation and the potential for new findings in well-studied areas.
Resource Allocation
Resources could be better spent on more pressing astronomical research.
- Object Name
- 1998 SH2
- Initial Classification
- Asteroid
- Actual Classification
- Comet
- Tracking Duration
- 28 years
- Discovery Year
- 2025
- Observation Method
- Radar