Scientists baffled by object in space spotted hurtling towards us
The European Space Agency said it has spotted a rocky object, which could be a comet or an asteroid
Undated European Southern Observatory handout image of an artistÕs impression showing the first interstellar asteroid: `Oumuamua.
(Image: PA )
Scientists have identified an object they suspect may have originated from another star system, and it seems to be heading towards Earth. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced today that its scientists have detected what could be the third extragalactic object ever to venture into the Milky Way. Currently, the harmless object, dubbed A11pl3Z, is several hundred million miles away from Earth, rounding Jupiter.
From there, it will accelerate towards Earth, but it won't come anywhere near our planet. Instead, it's expected to visit one of our closest neighbours, Mars.
At this stage, officials can't confirm what the object is - it could be a rocky asteroid or an icy comet, both of which are common in our galaxy. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
They also can't determine its size or shape.
Undated European Southern Observatory handout image of an artistÕs impression showing the first interstellar asteroid: `Oumuamua.
(Image: PA )
The ESA plans to conduct further observations to ascertain exactly where A11pl3Z originated from, and NASA, their American counterparts, are also keeping a close eye on the situation, reports the Mirror.
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Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, from the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it's an interstellar object based on its unusual trajectory and high speed as it traverses the solar system.
In an article for The Conversation, Dr Trigo-Rodriguez discussed A11pl3Z, suggesting "certain aspects of its extended appearance" could indicate the object is a comet.
He stated: "There are certain aspects of its extended appearance that could point to it being a comet.
The interstellar visitor was first identified by Crimea-based amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov, who spotted the comet using a telescope on August 30.
(Image: Creative Commons/Tny873004 )
However, this will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks as it moves deeper into the solar system.
He further added: "On the other hand, it is normal for an object subjected to the extremely low temperatures of interstellar space for millions of years to take longer than normal to 'wake up' from its slumber."
Dr Trigo-Rodriguez estimates the object's size to be approximately 25 miles (40 kilometres) across and assures that it poses no threat to our planet.
"The Scout programme at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Centre for the Study of Minor Bodies (CNEOs), has entirely dismissed any risk of a potential Earth impact.
The closest the object will approach, according to the programme's estimates, is around 284 million kilometres (just over 176 million miles).
The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017.
The Milky Way is seen over the Haleakala Observatory and the lights of Kahului, at right, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at the summit of Haleakala National Park near Kula, Hawaii.
(Image: AP )
This visitor was named Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in tribute to the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it.
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Initially classified as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since exhibited signs of being a comet.
The second object - and A11pl3Z's direct predecessor - confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet.
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