Hot on the heels of the last apparent comet discovery:
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/iau/cbet/005600/CBET005648.txt
We have multiple reports of an object with a coma and/or tail- therefore indicating activity, therefore indicating a comet. Except this “comet” orbits, to the precision of our measurements so far, entirely in the Main Asteroid Belt, in a somewhat circular, very flat (low inclination) orbit:
a = 2.5786898 AU
e = 0.2121342
Incl. = 1.29845
As before, I have to issue a disclaimer: there’s still a possibility this “activity” is caused by a recent (~months ago) impact event, releasing ejecta. In that case, no, this “Main Belt comet” doesn’t hold up. Another possibility is YORP-driven spinup, reaching a critical rotation rate that causes structural failure and scattering of asteroid particles. We’ll see. However, we do know that at least some Main Belt comets have their activity recur at additional perihelia, a likely indication that it is thermally driven and therefore a release of volatiles. We also know (thanks to the James Webb telescope) that at least one of those volatile-releasing MBCs is releasing water, thanks to spectroscopy. Observations continue.
Thanks again, Luke!