{
  "id": 19494380,
  "title": "This active asteroid has grown a tail! What happened?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/this-active-asteroid-has-grown-a-tail-what-happened",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-11T12:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "EarthSky",
    "slug": "earthsky",
    "url": "https://earthsky.org/space/active-asteroid-6993-1995-bj4-tail-comet-collision/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Astronomers have observed asteroid 6993 (1995 BJ4) growing a tail in recent images, resembling a comet. The object, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, appears to be shedding material and growing a tail, much like a comet. While initially called an active asteroid, it may be classified as a main-belt comet if the tail is caused by sunlight vaporizing ice on its surface. This would make it the largest-known main-belt comet, as it is about 7.5 miles (12 km) across, larger than 99% of asteroids. The tail could also result from a collision among bodies in the main asteroid belt. Continued observations will help determine the cause of the activity, with perihelion (closest approach to the sun) occurring in January 2027.",
  "summary": "The active asteroid 1995 BJ4 has developed a cometlike tail. If the tail is due to sublimating ice, it would make it the largest known main-belt comet. The post This active asteroid has grown a tail! What happened? first appeared on EarthSky .",
  "key_points": [
    "Asteroid 6993 (1995 BJ4) develops tail, resembling comet",
    "Object in main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter",
    "Tail may be caused by sunlight vaporizing ice or collision"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}