I don't know why they were suggesting it was so thin, but if it was, then I don't see how it could have been a rock structure. Not at mere millimeters of thickness combined with that kind of length and width. I wonder whether a craft could be sent out at high enough speed to overtake the bugger and get close-ups? That would be way cool.
Thats not an appropriate response. First you should correct your own error. Then you can be as snarky as you like. And, while I did not call it a comet, astronomers generally are. And they admit they only looked for specific types of dust and gas, so the dust and gas it emmitted may not have been detected.
Where are you guys getting this? No reputable source i have seen demands this. The smallest estimate for its thickness i have seen is about 35 meters.
Probably from this: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1810.11490.pdf And not considering context or the entirety of data.
Well, true, kinda. We can estimate its mass and its length. So the other two dimensions can be constrained somewhat by density constraints. We know it is not denser than lead, for instance, and we know it cannot be less dense than, for instance, the dust on your keyboard.
You are correct, they are not. So, it appears scientists have ruled out natural explanations other than outgassing and solar radiation pressure. The first idea seems much more likely.
Every object becomes a type of comet upon close solar approach as even metals become vapor at certain temperatures. Asteroids and meteors contain water in molecular form which WILL become volatile according to established physics so out gassing DID occur, the question would be to what extent and we can only speculate on that. A comet is a term that merely means the object contains ices and makes a close pass by the sun....nothing more.
