4 days ago
Third interstellar object spotted? A11pI3Z stirs global astronomy buzz
Has a third interstellar visitor entered our solar system? The astronomical community is abuzz with excitement as early data suggests that a newly spotted object, dubbed A11pI3Z, may have originated from beyond our solar system. While confirmation is still pending, astronomers are closely watching tonight's observations, which could mark the discovery of only the third known interstellar object after 'Oumuamua and Borisov.
The object, A11pI3Z, was first flagged by the ATLAS telescope system, with observations now stretching back to June 25, thanks to data uncovered by citizen scientist Sam Deen.
According to early orbital estimates, the object is on a hyperbolic trajectory with an eccentricity far exceeding the threshold that defines a bound solar system orbit. For context, an eccentricity above 1 indicates a hyperbolic, and thus interstellar, path. This places A11pI3Z firmly in the realm of interstellar origins.
'With an eccentricity near 10, this is like nothing seen before. The comet is screaming by us,' one astronomer posted on X, highlighting the object's extreme speed and unusual path.
Confirmation efforts have ramped up in recent hours. Another amateur astronomer confirmed A11pI3Z's identity remotely using the T72 system in Chile, capturing five stacked 20-second exposures and measuring the object's brightness at magnitude 17.5 G on July 2, 2025.
3rd interstellar object discovered? Maybe. There's a lot of buzz right now in the Astro community. More observations should come in tonight to confirm if A11pI3Z is from beyond the solar system.
— Tony Dunn (@tony873004) July 2, 2025
If confirmed, A11pI3Z will join ʻOumuamua (2017) and Comet Borisov (2019) as only the third known interstellar object to be detected passing through our solar system — a rare and valuable opportunity to study material from beyond our stellar neighbourhood.
More observations are expected to come in over the next 24–48 hours, which should further refine the object's orbit and composition.
More about interstellar candidate A11pI3Z
On July 1, 2025, the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center officially listed the object A11pI3Z on its Near-Earth Object (NEO) confirmation page. It has also appeared on NASA/JPL's NEO Confirmation Page under the same designation. While it's being tracked as a near-Earth object, astronomers have clarified that it poses no threat to Earth and is not expected to pass anywhere near our planet.
The object is currently headed towards the sun, as indicated by the observations of a number of astronomers around the world. The closest approach is expected in October 2025. If verified, A11pI3Z could be a historic discovery — a cosmic message in a bottle from the depths of interstellar space.
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