Latest news with #Borisov
Alalam24
4 days ago
- Science
- Alalam24
A mysterious visitor from the depths of space is approaching the Sun at an astonishing speed
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious object coming from outside the solar system, named '3I ATLAS.' makes it the third known interstellar visitor to humanity, after 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019. The object, believed to be an interstellar comet, is hurtling toward the Sun at an incredible speed of over 210,000 km/h. It is expected to reach its closest point to the Sun in October 2025 before continuing its journey away from our solar system toward an unknown destination. What makes this new space visitor remarkable is that it might be the oldest interstellar object ever detected, according to researchers. This opens the door to significant scientific discoveries about the nature of comets that originated in distant galaxies or star systems. Within less than 24 hours of its detection, scientists confirmed that '3I ATLAS' does not originate from our solar system — a rare occurrence that raises many questions about its origin and composition. Early observations show it has a cloud of gas and ice similar to traditional comets, with an estimated size of about 24 kilometers, making it larger than any previously observed interstellar comet. As for any potential threat to Earth, NASA has reassured the public that it poses no danger, as it will pass at a safe distance of approximately 240 million kilometers from our planet. Amateur astronomers may even have the chance to observe it with simple telescopes — or possibly with the naked eye — in the coming months as it approaches the Sun and grows brighter
03-07-2025
- Science
Astronomers spot 'interstellar object' speeding through solar system
An "interstellar object" is speeding toward the inner solar system, where Earth is located, astronomers have confirmed. The object -- likely a comet -- was first detected in data collected between by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS -- an asteroid impact early warning system in Rio Hurtado, Chile, funded by NASA, the space agency announced on Tuesday. Properties such as a marginal coma and short tail indicate signs of cometary activity, according to the Minor Planet Center. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported, NASA said. Observations from three different ATLAS telescopes around the world -- as well as the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California -- dating back to June 14 were gathered and provided data that supports the existence of the comet, according to a NASA update released Wednesday. It appears to be originating from interstellar space, arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently about 420 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, astronomers said. It is estimated to reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30, where it will cross at about 130 million miles away, just inside the orbit of Mars, according to NASA. The object, dubbed "A11pl3Z" or "3I/ATLAS," spans approximately 25 miles, Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, as astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, told The Associated Press. It's traveling at a speed of about 152,000 mph and approaching the inner solar system from the bar of the Milky Way, Live Science reported. Its trajectory suggests it did not originate in this solar system, according to This is only the third time in history that an interstellar object entering the inner solar system has been recorded. A cigar-shaped interstellar object called " Oumuamua," the Hawaiian word for "scout," was detected in 2017. And in 2019, an object named " 21/Borisov" -- a comet that likely strayed from another star system -- was located. Astronomers will continue to investigate the size and physical properties of the comet through September, after which it will pass too close to the sun to remain visible, NASA said.
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Science
- Al Arabiya
NASA Identifies Newly Discovered Object as an Interstellar Comet That Will Keep a Safe Distance
NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that's wandered into our backyard. The space agency spotted the quick-moving object with the sky-surveying Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week and confirmed it was a comet from another star system. It's officially the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system and poses no threat to Earth. The newest visitor is 416 million miles (670 million kilometers) from the sun, out near Jupiter. NASA said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth – but closer to the red planet than us at a safe 150 million miles (240 million kilometers) away. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet – an icy snowball officially designated 3I/Atlas – to determine its size and shape. It should be visible by telescopes through September before it gets too close to the sun and reappear in December on the other side of the sun. The first interstellar visitor observed from Earth was 'Oumuamua, Hawaiian for 'scout,' in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated 'Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own – 2I/Borisov – was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer with that name. It, too, is believed to be a comet.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
NASA identifies newly discovered object as an interstellar comet that will keep a safe distance
NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that's wandered into our backyard. The space agency spotted the quick-moving object with the sky-surveying Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week, and confirmed it was a comet from another star system. It's officially the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system and poses no threat to Earth. The newest visitor is 416 million miles (670 million kilometers) from the sun, out near Jupiter. NASA said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth — but closer to the red planet than us at a safe 150 million miles (240 million kilometers) away. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet — an icy snowball officially designated 3I/Atlas — to determine its size and shape. It should be visible by telescopes through September, before it gets too close to the sun, and reappear in December on the other side of the sun. The first interstellar visitor observed from Earth was Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own —— 21/Borisov — was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer with that name. It, too, is believed to be a comet. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
NASA identifies newly discovered object as an interstellar comet that will keep a safe distance
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that's wandered into our backyard. The space agency spotted the quick-moving object with the sky-surveying Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week, and confirmed it was a comet from another star system. It's officially the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system and poses no threat to Earth. The newest visitor is 416 million miles (670 million kilometers) from the sun, out near Jupiter. NASA said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth — but closer to the red planet than us at a safe 150 million miles (240 million kilometers) away. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet — an icy snowball officially designated 3I/Atlas — to determine its size and shape. It should be visible by telescopes through September, before it gets too close to the sun, and reappear in December on the other side of the sun. The first interstellar visitor observed from Earth was Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own —— 21/Borisov — was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer with that name. It, too, is believed to be a comet. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
