Free Astronomy Magazine January-February 2025

A n artist’s concept of Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1’s outgassing activity as seen from the side. Prior radio-wavelength observa- tions noted a jet composed of carbon monoxide (CO) gas pointed toward Earth, shown at left from this angle. [NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (STScI)] JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025 Since these small icy bodies are in an orbital transitional phase, they have been the subject of various studies as scientists seek to understand their composition, the reasons behind their outgassing activity — the loss of their ices that lie underneath the surface — and how they serve as a link between primordial icy bodies ASTRO PUBLISHING 11