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Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

Economic Times2 days ago
A mysterious visitor from another star system is currently flying through our cosmic neighborhood, and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. The recently discovered comet is unlike anything we have seen before.
The first detection of 3I/ATLAS was made on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. According to a statement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) NOIRLab, which runs the International Gemini Observatory, it is only the third known interstellar object, indicating it didn't originate in our solar system, as per a report by Space.
While traveling toward the inner solar system, the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS was spotted by astronomers in a stunning new image.
Only three interstellar objects have been found to reach our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.
The newly discovered comet was photographed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i as it passed through our cosmic neighborhood, some 290 million miles (465 million kilometers) away from Earth.
The Gemini North telescope captured this massive 12-mile-wide comet, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from beyond our star.
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On October 30, 3I/ATLAS will cross within 130 million miles (210 million km), or barely inside the orbit of Mars, of the sun. No threat to Earth will come from 3I/ATLAS, which will pass within 170 million miles (270 million km) of Earth in December."This interstellar wanderer has been critically characterized early thanks to the International Gemini Observatory's sensitivity and scheduling agility," said Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory."We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars."The relics of distant star systems that have been blasted into space are known as interstellar objects, such as 3I/ATLAS. According to the statement, they provide important information about the components that were present when and where other planetary systems in the universe formed, including their chemical composition, as per a report by Space.Although it is thought that other objects of this kind frequently go through our solar system, they are very challenging to photograph.
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However, 3I/ATLAS is a better target for research because it is significantly larger than earlier interstellar objects, with an estimated diameter of 12 miles (20 km). The comet has a compact coma, which is the cloud of gas and dust around its icy core, according to the latest photos taken by the Gemini North observatory. According to other observations, it might be the oldest comet ever found, possibly older than our solar system and it originates from the Milky Way's outer thick disk.This will be 3I/ATLAS's only visit to our solar system because of its extremely eccentric orbit, which prevents it from making a full orbit around the sun. Therefore, during the comet's brief visit before it departs for interstellar space, astronomers from all over the world are observing it with a variety of telescopes.
Why is 3I/ATLAS such a big deal?It's only the third interstellar object ever discovered, and it's the largest by far.
Will it return or hit Earth? No. It will pass by safely and not return; it is a one-time visitor.
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Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen
Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

Economic Times

time2 days ago

  • Economic Times

Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

A mysterious visitor from another star system is currently flying through our cosmic neighborhood, and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. The recently discovered comet is unlike anything we have seen before. The first detection of 3I/ATLAS was made on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. According to a statement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) NOIRLab, which runs the International Gemini Observatory, it is only the third known interstellar object, indicating it didn't originate in our solar system, as per a report by Space. While traveling toward the inner solar system, the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS was spotted by astronomers in a stunning new image. Only three interstellar objects have been found to reach our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. The newly discovered comet was photographed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i as it passed through our cosmic neighborhood, some 290 million miles (465 million kilometers) away from Earth. The Gemini North telescope captured this massive 12-mile-wide comet, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from beyond our star. ALSO READ: Wicked 2 just made a massive change to this character, and fans might actually love it On October 30, 3I/ATLAS will cross within 130 million miles (210 million km), or barely inside the orbit of Mars, of the sun. No threat to Earth will come from 3I/ATLAS, which will pass within 170 million miles (270 million km) of Earth in December."This interstellar wanderer has been critically characterized early thanks to the International Gemini Observatory's sensitivity and scheduling agility," said Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory."We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars."The relics of distant star systems that have been blasted into space are known as interstellar objects, such as 3I/ATLAS. According to the statement, they provide important information about the components that were present when and where other planetary systems in the universe formed, including their chemical composition, as per a report by it is thought that other objects of this kind frequently go through our solar system, they are very challenging to photograph. ALSO READ: 12,000 years of art? Ancient Mongolian elk carvings morph into mysterious wolf symbols However, 3I/ATLAS is a better target for research because it is significantly larger than earlier interstellar objects, with an estimated diameter of 12 miles (20 km). The comet has a compact coma, which is the cloud of gas and dust around its icy core, according to the latest photos taken by the Gemini North observatory. According to other observations, it might be the oldest comet ever found, possibly older than our solar system and it originates from the Milky Way's outer thick will be 3I/ATLAS's only visit to our solar system because of its extremely eccentric orbit, which prevents it from making a full orbit around the sun. Therefore, during the comet's brief visit before it departs for interstellar space, astronomers from all over the world are observing it with a variety of telescopes. Why is 3I/ATLAS such a big deal?It's only the third interstellar object ever discovered, and it's the largest by far. Will it return or hit Earth? No. It will pass by safely and not return; it is a one-time visitor.

Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen
Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Time of India

Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen

A mysterious visitor from another star system is currently flying through our cosmic neighborhood , and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. The recently discovered comet is unlike anything we have seen before. The first detection of 3I/ATLAS was made on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. According to a statement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) NOIRLab, which runs the International Gemini Observatory, it is only the third known interstellar object, indicating it didn't originate in our solar system, as per a report by Space. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category While traveling toward the inner solar system, the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS was spotted by astronomers in a stunning new image. Only three interstellar objects have been found to reach our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. How close will it get to Earth and the Sun? Live Events The newly discovered comet was photographed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i as it passed through our cosmic neighborhood, some 290 million miles (465 million kilometers) away from Earth. The Gemini North telescope captured this massive 12-mile-wide comet, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from beyond our star. ALSO READ: Wicked 2 just made a massive change to this character, and fans might actually love it On October 30, 3I/ATLAS will cross within 130 million miles (210 million km), or barely inside the orbit of Mars, of the sun. No threat to Earth will come from 3I/ATLAS, which will pass within 170 million miles (270 million km) of Earth in December. "This interstellar wanderer has been critically characterized early thanks to the International Gemini Observatory's sensitivity and scheduling agility," said Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory. "We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars." What makes 3I/ATLAS different from other comets? The relics of distant star systems that have been blasted into space are known as interstellar objects, such as 3I/ATLAS. According to the statement, they provide important information about the components that were present when and where other planetary systems in the universe formed, including their chemical composition, as per a report by Space. Although it is thought that other objects of this kind frequently go through our solar system, they are very challenging to photograph. ALSO READ : 12,000 years of art? Ancient Mongolian elk carvings morph into mysterious wolf symbols However, 3I/ATLAS is a better target for research because it is significantly larger than earlier interstellar objects, with an estimated diameter of 12 miles (20 km). The comet has a compact coma, which is the cloud of gas and dust around its icy core, according to the latest photos taken by the Gemini North observatory . According to other observations, it might be the oldest comet ever found, possibly older than our solar system and it originates from the Milky Way's outer thick disk. Why are scientists racing to study it now? This will be 3I/ATLAS's only visit to our solar system because of its extremely eccentric orbit, which prevents it from making a full orbit around the sun. Therefore, during the comet's brief visit before it departs for interstellar space, astronomers from all over the world are observing it with a variety of telescopes. FAQs Why is 3I/ATLAS such a big deal? It's only the third interstellar object ever discovered, and it's the largest by far. Will it return or hit Earth? No. It will pass by safely and not return; it is a one-time visitor.

Are Aliens Watching Earth? 20-Km-Long Interstellar Object Sparks Global Buzz
Are Aliens Watching Earth? 20-Km-Long Interstellar Object Sparks Global Buzz

News18

time2 days ago

  • News18

Are Aliens Watching Earth? 20-Km-Long Interstellar Object Sparks Global Buzz

Last Updated: NASA's ATLAS telescope spotted 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object and the largest yet, nearly 20 km long and unusually massive, stirring curiosity among scientists Are we truly alone in the universe, or is someone secretly observing us? This age-old question has resurfaced after space scientists discovered a new interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. The discovery has sparked excitement and concern in the scientific community. What's even more astonishing is that Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb believes this may not be a natural object at all but potentially a piece of alien technology deliberately sent towards our solar system. This is not just a question of astrophysics; if proven true, it could signal a possible unknown threat to humanity. What Is 3I/ATLAS? Discovered by NASA's ATLAS telescope, 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, and it's believed to be the largest ever detected. Measuring nearly 20 kilometres in length, it's an unusually massive body travelling through space. According to Loeb, the object is surrounded by a dense layer of gas and dust, making its structure particularly mysterious. He points out that its trajectory, speed, and composition don't resemble any known natural celestial body. This has led him to suggest that it could be a probe or vessel sent by an advanced alien civilisation, perhaps with a mission we can't yet comprehend. A Divided Scientific Community While Loeb insists the object's unusual behaviour warrants further investigation, many scientists remain sceptical. They argue it could simply be a primordial space rock ejected by the gravitational forces of distant stars. Still, Loeb urges caution. He believes we shouldn't dismiss the alien theory until all available data is studied in detail. When Will It Come Closest? 3I/ATLAS is expected to pass closest to Earth in December, at a distance of approximately 270 million kilometres. During this time, astronomers around the world will closely observe its behaviour to determine its true nature. This isn't the first time Avi Loeb has raised eyebrows with alien claims. He previously suggested that another interstellar object, 1I/'Oumuamua, was also alien technology – though that theory remains unproven. Now, with another unusual body heading our way, some wonder: Are these cosmic visitors part of a larger survey? Surveillance missions? Or the lead-up to first contact? If Loeb's theories hold any truth, the discovery of 3I/ATLAS could either be the greatest scientific revelation in history or the biggest existential threat we've ever faced. For now, scientists and space enthusiasts alike are watching the skies with bated breath—wondering whether we're really alone… or if someone, somewhere far away, is already watching us. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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