Is the Dark Comet 1998 KY 26 the Spacecraft Phobos 1?

arXiv:2606.01288 · astro-ph.EP, astro-ph.IM · Submitted 2026-05-31 · Read on arXiv

Adam Hibberd, Adam Crowl, Carlos Gómez de Olea Ballester, Abraham Loeb

astro-ph.EP, astro-ph.IM

Submitted: 2026-05-31

Code: https://github.com/CMA-ES/pycma

License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/

Terminology

• Adam — 6× in this paper · explained in 2 episodes
• Mars Orbital Insertion — 2× in this paper
• Ontology — 2× in this paper · explained in 2 episodes
• Adaptation — 1× in this paper · explained in 1 episode
• Technical University of Munich — 1× in this paper

Sources

• The CMA Evolution Strategy: A Tutorial
• Intermediate Points for Missions to Interstellar Objects Using Optimum Interplanetary Trajectory Software
• Project Lyra: The Way to Go and the Launcher to Get There
• Is the "Dark Comet" 2005 VL1 the Venera 2 Spacecraft?

Related papers

• PDS 70 c and SR 12 c: Observational Constraints on Giant-Planet and Satellite Formation
• Two-stage disruption of resonant chains
• Detectability of resolved hydrogen lines from the accretion shock at gas giants and their CPDs
• Binary-lens Microlensing Degeneracy: Impact on Planetary Sensitivity and Mass-ratio Function
• Atmospheric escape fractionates secondary but not primary atmospheres
• The Occurrence Rate of Nearby Planetary Companions to Hot Jupiters