In a rare sight, NASA has spotted a fast-moving object from another star system that is currently lurking about 4.5 au (about 416 million miles or 670 million km) from the Sun, in our solar system.
NASA spotted the interstellar object through the sky-surveying ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile earlier this week and confirmed that the object was a comet. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet, which is officially named 3I/Atlas.
It is only the third known alien object to pass through our solar system. Astronomers said the comet will pass by without posing a threat to Earth.
“It appears somewhat fuzzy,” said Peter Veres, an astronomer with the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. “There seems to be some gas surrounding it, and at least one or two telescopes have reported a short tail", reported AFP.
Its closest brush with the Sun will come around October 30, when it will scoot between Mars and Earth at a distance of 1.4 au (about 130 million miles or 210 million km), nearer to Mars.
The cigar‑shaped Oumuamua was the first such object in 2017, followed by comet 21/Borisov in 2019. Now 3I/Atlas joins the list, offering scientists a closer look at the comet's size and physical properties. It is expected to emerge on the other side of the Sun by early December.
NASA spotted the interstellar object through the sky-surveying ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile earlier this week and confirmed that the object was a comet. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet, which is officially named 3I/Atlas.
It is only the third known alien object to pass through our solar system. Astronomers said the comet will pass by without posing a threat to Earth.
“It appears somewhat fuzzy,” said Peter Veres, an astronomer with the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. “There seems to be some gas surrounding it, and at least one or two telescopes have reported a short tail", reported AFP.
Its closest brush with the Sun will come around October 30, when it will scoot between Mars and Earth at a distance of 1.4 au (about 130 million miles or 210 million km), nearer to Mars.
The cigar‑shaped Oumuamua was the first such object in 2017, followed by comet 21/Borisov in 2019. Now 3I/Atlas joins the list, offering scientists a closer look at the comet's size and physical properties. It is expected to emerge on the other side of the Sun by early December.
You may also like
Karnataka CM buzz: DK Shivakumar says no cabinet reshuffle, meets Priyanka Gandhi in Delhi
Israeli army says troops destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon
'Adored' Brit tourist, 24, died after 'falling backwards' from first floor window in Amsterdam
Carlos Alcaraz has won £3m more just at Wimbledon than quarter-finalist has in his career
Martina Navratilova turned away from Wimbledon restaurant - 'They had no idea who I was'