Latest news with #UniversityOfHawaii
WIRED
13-07-2025
- Science
- WIRED
Everything We Know About the Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
Jul 13, 2025 5:00 AM A team of astronomers recently discovered the traveling space object, just the third of its kind to pass through our solar system. NASA's projection of the trajectory of 3I/ATLAS, which is expected to pass between the orbits of Earth and Mars and make its closest approach to the Sun in October. ILLUSTRATION: NASA/JPL-CALTECH On July 2, NASA revealed the existence of 3I/ATLAS, only the third ever interstellar object observed in the universe. These are objects that exist in interstellar space—the areas between stars—and which are not gravitationally bound to any star. The two other interstellar objects discovered to date are the comets 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov. 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, when its existence was reported by a telescope at Rio Hurtado in Chile, operated by the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Alert System. Known commonly as ATLAS, this is a NASA-funded system developed and operated by the University of Hawaii to detect asteroids that could potentially hit Earth. It uses four telescopes—two in Hawaii, one in Chile, and one in South Africa—to automatically scan the entire sky several times each night to monitor celestial movements. An illustration of 1I/ʻOumuamua, which was the first ever interstellar object discovered in October 2017. It is thought to be up to 400 meters long and cigar-shaped. Illustration: ESA/Hubble, NASA, ESO, M. Kornmesser An image of 2I/Borisov, the second interstellar object discovered in August 2019. It is thought to be about 975 meters in diameter and moving at 177,000 km/h. PHOTOGRAPH: NASA/ESA/D. JEWITT (UCLA) Archived data collected in the preceding weeks by ATLAS' three other telescopes, as well as by the Zwicky Sky Facility at the Palomar Observatory, operated by the California Institute of Technology, confirmed the discovery. Additional observations of 3I/ATLAS were then made by numerous telescopes around the world, gradually revealing more details about it. Observations of 3I/ATLAS taken by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. Photograph: ATLAS/University of Hawaii/NASA 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be, at most, about 20 kilometers in size. It is currently located about 670 million kilometers from the sun and is approaching our star from the direction of Sagittarius at a speed of about 61 km per second. Its speed is expected to increase as it approaches the sun. When astronomers studied its orbit, they found that 3I/ATLAS was moving too fast to be bound by the sun's gravity and so will head straight through the solar system and into interstellar space, never to be seen again. An animation of 3I/ATLAS created using observations made by the ATLAS telescope at Rio Ultado in Chile. Video: ATLAS/UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII/NASA Generally, celestial bodies are named after their discoverers, but in the case of 3I/ATLAS, it was named after the ATLAS research team. The 'I' stands for 'interstellar,' indicating that the object came from outside the solar system; the '3' was added to the name because it is the third interstellar object discovered. The object was was uncovered because ATLAS initially identified it as something that might be on a possible collision path with Earth, but NASA says there is no risk of the object hitting our planet. Even when 3I/ATLAS is closest to Earth, it will be about 240 million kilometers away. An animation of 3I/ATLAS observations made on July 2 by astronomers at the Near Earth Object Coordination Center, a division of the Planetary Defence Office of the European Space Agency. Video: ESA/LAS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY 3I/ATLAS will be visible using ground-based telescopes until September. It will then enter the inner orbit of Mars in late October and will be hidden in the sun's shadow when it passes our star at its closest point, making it impossible to observe from Earth. However, it will reappear from the sun's shadow in early December and become visible again. 3I/ATLAS is an active comet, which means that as it gets close to the sun and heats up, the ice in its nucleus could sublimate and form a nebula-like cloud of gas and dust called a coma—otherwise known as a tail. Because 3I/ATLAS is an object that came from outside the solar system, it may provide valuable data about objects that exist in the further reaches of space. For this reason, astronomers around the world are now paying close attention to it. This story originally appeared on WIRED Japan and has been translated from Japanese.
Asharq Al-Awsat
03-07-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Newly Spotted Comet Is Third Interstellar Object Seen in Our Solar System
Astronomers are tracking a newly spotted comet hailing from parts unknown, only the third time such an interstellar object has been observed visiting our solar system. According to US space agency NASA, the interloper - named 3I/ATLAS - was first spotted on Tuesday by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Astronomers said its unusual trajectory indicated it had ventured from beyond our solar system. Journeying at a speed of around 37 miles (60 km) per second from the direction of the center of the Milky Way galaxy, 3I/ATLAS is presently located about 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) from Earth. "Beyond that we do not know very much, and there are many efforts underway to observe this object with larger telescopes to determine composition," University of Hawaii astronomer Larry Denneau, co-principal investigator for ATLAS, said on Thursday. The only other such interstellar visitors previously observed by astronomers were objects called 1I/'Oumuamua (pronounced oh-MOO-uh-MOO-uh), detected in 2017, and 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019. "The comet has some similarities to 2I/Borisov in that it appears to be an icy comet, but it is much larger, possibly 10 km (6.2 miles) in diameter," Denneau said. "It currently has a faint coma," Denneau added, referring to the cloud of gas and dust surrounding a comet's nucleus, "but the coma and tail may increase dramatically as the object comes closer to the sun. Its closest approach to the sun will be later this year, when it will come inside the orbit of Mars. We don't know what will happen, so that's exciting." Astronomers said the comet poses no threat to Earth and will never come closer than 150 million miles (240 million km) away, equivalent to more than 1-1/2 times the distance between Earth and the sun. It is currently located about 416 million miles (670 million km) from the sun and will reach its closest approach to the sun around October 30, when it will be about 130 million miles (210 million km) away from our star. The ATLAS network is a NASA-funded telescope survey built and operated by the University of Hawaii, with five telescopes around the world that scan the night sky continuously to look for objects that could threaten Earth.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive interstellar object discovered by Hawaii-operated telescope
Manoa, Hawaii (KHON2) — A new discovery from a University of Hawaii-operated telescope is turning heads in the astronomy world. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news A massive object from outside the solar system is passing through, but the world is not in danger. It is a rare visitor, astronomers said it is only the third known interstellar object ever discovered. It was detected by a University of Hawaii-operated telescope in Chile, part of the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Astronomers track object that may have originated outside the solar system 'These are really rare so far. It's only the third one ever. There's, you know, a million and a half known asteroids and there's about 30, 35,000 near Earth objects,' said ATLAS astronomer Larry Denneau. The object — now officially named 3I/ATLAS — is believed to be up to 12 miles wide, much larger than either Oumuamua or Borisov, the two interstellar objects found before it. It is currently hurtling toward the sun at more than 150,000 miles per hour. Pentagon report explores possibility of alien ship visits 'That's how we know it's interstellar, right? So, there's no way that an object that's orbiting the sun can produce that kind of velocity through the gravitational attraction of the sun,' Denneau said. 3I/ATLAS will pass between Earth and Mars sometime in October, but there is no danger of a collision. 'And so occasionally they find these very rare interstellar things. But in terms of impact risk, we're more worried about things, that come from within our own solar system,' said UH Manoa Institute for Astronomy associate astronomer Roy Gal. Scientists believe the object is likely a comet and could become more active as it nears the sun, it will not be visible to the naked eye but telescopes around the world are lining up to observe it. 'They're exotic in that they're a rare find since they come from outside the solar system. We don't know what they're going to be made of. And so a lot of the telescope proposals that are coming up want to try to study this really carefully to find out, does it have the same stuff that we find in our solar system? We'll learn something from that,' Denneau said. The discovery comes as the field of astronomy faces growing uncertainty. Federal funding cuts have already impacted major projects, including Hawaii's proposed Thirty Meter Telescope. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'And we're lucky little bit in that planetary defense is not being cut. So projects like Atlas will continue, but all kinds of other basic research in astronomy, but also in all other sciences is really going to be hit hard ' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Infected dolphins found stranded on Oʻahu shores: UH
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Health and Stranding Lab have found three stranded striped dolphins on Oʻahu's shores over the span of week, who all tested positive for an infectious bacteria that can transfer from animals to humans. UH researches are concerned that the infected dolphins found could be signs of a much larger problem for dolphins and whales in Hawaiʻi's waters. UH: Urgent response required to save world's coral reefs Response teams from UH, along with cultural practitioners for advising, responded to two dolphins found in Waimānalo on June 7 and June 8, as well as when the third dolphin was found in Waikāne on June 15. The bacteria, Brucella ceti, can cause flu-like symptoms, neurological issues and even chronic arthritis if left untreated in humans. 'Brucella ceti can be dangerous to humans who touch infected marine mammals,' Kristi West, an associate research at UH, said. 'It is best to be cautious and avoid touching or handling stranded animals. We strongly urge the public to report any whales or dolphins in distress in the ocean or stranded on beaches.'According to UH, most carcasses are never recovered and public reporting is critical for understanding the complexities of marine mammals' health. 'Dolphins and whales are recognized sentinels of ocean health and give us signs and signals about what's happening out there,' West said. 'Three strandings within one week likely represents many more dolphins that died and were lost at sea. It raises our concern about what's happening to the animals in their ecosystem.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Since 2000, the bacteria has been found in a variety of species of stranded dolphins and whales. Animals that tested positive for the infection showed severe brain and lung infections, while also being affected by comorbidities such as morbillivirus and hepesvirus. The UH research team, alongside UH microbiologist Michael Norris, recently discovered a new strain of the bacteria in Hawaiian marine mammals that they say is likely the cause of the recent strandings. To report any sightings of dead or distressed marine mammals, call the toll-free statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled controversial Thirty Meter Telescope
The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF's fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. The president had sought to slash the NSF's $9 billion budget by 56 % as part of a broader pattern of federal funding reductions. According to the budget proposal, the NSF will support only one of two U.S.-backed 'extremely large telescope ' projects due to financial constraints. The agency opted to advance Chile's GMT into a 'major facility final design phase, ' stating the TMT will not advance to the final design phase and will not receive an additional commitment of NSF funds. The TMT was first proposed in the early 2000s as one of the most ambitious astronomy projects ever attempted, featuring a 30-meter segmented mirror nearly three times the size of any currently in operation. It is led by a consortium of U.S. and international scientific institutions, with the University of Hawaii serving as the local site partner. Many Native Hawaiians consider Mauna Kea the most sacred place in the islands, often describing it as a spiritual and ancestral homeland, and believe that constructing the telescope would further desecrate the mountain, which is already home to roughly a dozen observatories. TMT has faced repeated delays and soaring costs—from an initial estimate of $1.4 billion to $3 billion—alongside intense protests that halted construction in 2019 and sparked broader conversations about Indigenous rights, land stewardship and the role of science in Hawaii. Despite those challenges, the TMT collaboration has long hoped to secure NSF funding to move the project forward. But the NSF's new budget request makes clear that continued financial support for both telescopes is 'unaffordable, ' and that only the Chile project has 'assurances ' of completing its design phase without further investment. Even for GMT, the path ahead is not guaranteed. NSF emphasized that advancing to the final design phase 'does not obligate the agency to provide any further funding ' or approve construction. Nonetheless, the decision leaves TMT's future far in doubt, especially without a clear backup site and persistent community opposition. Native Hawaiian activist Hea lani Sonoda-Pale described the funding decision as a rare and important win for Native Hawaiians, especially the 'protectors ' who filed formal comments and advocacy letters aimed at influencing NSF decisions. Still, Sonoda-Pale said she doubts that Native Hawaiian concerns played a meaningful role in the Trump administration's decision-making, suggesting the NSF funding cut for TMT was more likely the result of broader budget priorities than a conscious effort to support Native Hawaiian interests. 'I don't think the Kanaka Maoli are on his radar, ' she said. 'It just so happens the stars aligned and this was a win for Hawaiians … . This decision will empower Kanaka Maoli to keep moving forward and remain vigilant to protect Mauna Kea and all sacred places in Hawaii.' Gov. Josh Green and University of Hawaii officials deferred comment on the funding cuts to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, whose leaders were not immediately available to respond to the development. However, Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda, who sits on the stewardship authority board, voiced deep disappointment over the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts, saying the move to defund TMT undermines not only the future of astronomy in Hawaii but also crucial Native Hawaiian economic and educational opportunities. Alameda framed his support for the telescope squarely around its potential to benefit Hawaiians. 'My whole support of the new version of TMT is to help Hawaiians and to help Hawaii, ' he said Saturday. 'You take TMT off the table, now we have the status quo because there's no motivation for decommissioning (other telescopes ).' He explained that keeping TMT 'on the table ' was about more than just supporting science ; the project provided important leverage to negotiate better terms with other observatories on Mauna Kea. He fears the mountain's stewardship will stagnate and critical revenues that could support Native Hawaiian immersion and charter schools and homestead programs will be lost. Alameda noted the ripple effect on the island's economy and the Native Hawaiian community in particular. Construction and operation of TMT represent decades of union jobs for carpenters, electricians, iron workers and laborers, he said. He also questioned the political logic behind shifting federal astronomy funding from Hawaii to the GMT under construction in Chile. 'Chile is a different country, right ? Trump's all about making America great again, ' Alameda said. He stressed that many Native Hawaiians may not fully grasp how defunding the TMT would be felt across Native Hawaiian programs and institutions relying on that revenue. With Congress yet to weigh in on the proposed budget, Alameda holds cautious hope that further developments may still support science funding, but he warned that the current trajectory threatens to end one of the nation's flagship astronomy projects and diminish Hawaii's role in global scientific innovation. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii ) agreed that the likely loss of NSF funding for TMT would set back Hawaii island's efforts to diversify its economy and create high-quality, sustainable jobs for local residents through education, workforce development and long-term economic opportunities that 'extend well beyond astronomy.' 'If we are unable to navigate complex challenges and reach consensus on projects that require the successful inclusion of community participation and feedback, it will send a concerning message to future partners and invite caution from government funders when local commitment and community alignment are uncertain, ' Tokuda said in a statement Saturday to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'At this critical moment, Hawaii must show it can come together to support responsible opportunities that strengthen our communities and secure a more resilient economic future.' Meanwhile, Hilo native Dakota Lee, 23, expressed conflicting feelings about the TMT project. 'Mauna Kea is a sacred place for the Hawaii community, and I think that the desecration of such a sacred place has been really hard on our community, ' said Lee, a Native Hawaiian. Reflecting on the emotional complexity of the situation, he added : 'My heart is sad because I know that that's a loss of funding for the community. I've always had such a difficult time just talking about this in general because I really do see both sides and connect with both sides.' He cited cultural insensitivity and past mismanagement of Mauna Kea, saying UH had 'handled things poorly ' by not adequately listening to Native Hawaiians before responsibility for the mountain was transferred to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, which was established in 2022. But Lee also warned that the defunding of TMT could have serious consequences for Hawaii's economy and educational system, both of which depend heavily on support from scientific and research funding sources. He cautioned against oversimplifying the apparent defunding of TMT as merely a political win for Native Hawaiians. While acknowledging the widespread belief that the move aligns with opposition to the telescope, Lee stressed that it is more accurately a reflection of broader policy decisions undermining scientific research. 'While I think that the lahui will see this as a win, I think we also have to be really careful with how we see this as a win and what we do moving forward, ' Lee said, underscoring the delicate balance between cultural preservation and economic sustainability.
