NASA has confirmed that a mysterious object hurtling towards the solar system is an “interstellar object.” The cosmic interloper, officially named 3I/ATLAS, is only the third of its kind ever seen. It will pass through the solar system later this year.
The object was first discovered in June by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), and multiple telescopes across the world have since spotted it. Scientists believe 3I/ATLAS originated from beyond the sun’s gravitational influence, with a trajectory so flat that it may be an asteroid or comet.
According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS is likely a comet, with “tentative signs of cometary activity” such as a bright cloud of gas and ice. However, more observations are needed to confirm this. The object is traveling at around 152,000 mph (245,000 km/h) and will come within 0.4 AU of Mars before making its closest approach to Earth in December.
Despite initial concerns that it posed a threat to Earth, NASA officials have assured that the comet poses no danger to our planet. Researchers will be able to study 3I/ATLAS until the end of September, when it becomes obscured by sunlight, and again from December onwards.
The object’s discovery has provided new insights into interstellar objects and their place in the solar system. With its unique trajectory and cometary activity, 3I/ATLAS is a fascinating addition to our understanding of the cosmos.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/comets/nasa-confirms-that-mysterious-object-shooting-through-the-solar-system-is-an-interstellar-visitor-and-it-has-a-new-name