Himalayan Chandra Telescope captures comet ATLAS
The comet , also known as 3I/ATLAS, was first spotted by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, moving rapidly at a relative speed of 61 kilometre per second on July 1.
The IIA said that this object has captured the attention of astronomers across the world and in order to promote interest and awareness on this celestial visitor among the students and general public in India, the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle observed the comet using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) on the night of July 3.
'Our webpage (https://www.iiap.res.in/outreach/other-initiatives/comets-from-ourtelescopes/c2025-n1-atlas/) now has a video as well as montages of timelapse images of the comet using this data, along with additional details, for education and outreach purposes,' the IIA said on Thursday.
The comet was discovered by international telescopes, the IIA said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Economic Times
Meet Avi Loeb, the Harvard scientist who says ancient 3I/ATLAS comet is actually an alien ship
Agencies Born in Israel, Loeb earned his PhD in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by the age of 24. A mysterious interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS, discovered on July 1, 2025, has triggered intense discussion among astronomers worldwide. Hurtling through space at over 210,000 km/h and sporting a glowing gas envelope roughly 24 km wide, the object is believed to be billions of years older than our solar system. While many researchers consider it an unusually ancient comet, a provocative theory has come from Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who suggested it might be more than just ice and dust. In a preprint paper shared on July 16 via arXiv, Loeb — along with a small team of scientists from the UK's Initiative for Interstellar Studies — proposed that 3I/ATLAS could potentially be a technological artifact from an advanced alien civilization. 'The hypothesis in question is that [31/ATLAS] is a technological artifact, and furthermore has active intelligence. If this is the case, then two possibilities follow. First, that its intentions are entirely benign and second, they are malign,' Dr. Loeb, Adam Drowl, and Adam Hibberd, wrote in a paper published on July 17. Loeb later clarified that the idea is a 'pedagogical exercise' rather than a confirmed theory, he warned that if the hypothesis were true, it could lend credibility to the Dark Forest hypothesis — the unsettling notion that alien civilizations stay silent to avoid hostile contact. In a blog post, he cautioned that the consequences for humanity could be dire if we were indeed being observed. Other scientists have pushed back firmly. Darryl Seligman of Michigan State University and Samantha Lawler from the University of Regina have both emphasized that 3I/ATLAS exhibits classical cometary features. Lawler called it 'an ordinary comet ejected from another solar system,' dismissing the alien technology theory as unlikely. Avi Loeb is one of the most well-known — and controversial — voices in astrophysics today. He serves as the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, and is the Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Loeb also leads the Galileo Project, which seeks scientific evidence of extraterrestrial technology near Earth. Born in Israel, Loeb earned his PhD in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by the age of 24. He went on to become a long-term member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and has contributed over 1,000 scientific papers, with an h-index of 131. He has written several popular books, including Extraterrestrial and Interstellar , which explore the possibility of alien life and humanity's place in the cosmos. Loeb previously chaired Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011–2020) and helped launch the Black Hole Initiative. He has advised institutions ranging from the White House's President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, a project aimed at interstellar travel. Loeb is known not only for his academic achievements but also for his willingness to challenge conventional thinking — especially on the subject of extraterrestrial intelligence. Whether or not 3I/ATLAS proves to be a sign of alien life, Avi Loeb has once again sparked a global conversation.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Meet Avi Loeb, the Harvard scientist who says ancient 3I/ATLAS comet is actually an alien ship
A mysterious interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS , discovered on July 1, 2025, has triggered intense discussion among astronomers worldwide. Hurtling through space at over 210,000 km/h and sporting a glowing gas envelope roughly 24 km wide, the object is believed to be billions of years older than our solar system. While many researchers consider it an unusually ancient comet, a provocative theory has come from Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who suggested it might be more than just ice and dust. In a preprint paper shared on July 16 via arXiv, Loeb — along with a small team of scientists from the UK's Initiative for Interstellar Studies — proposed that 3I/ATLAS could potentially be a technological artifact from an advanced alien civilization. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA Product Management Degree Data Science Data Analytics Technology Public Policy Others Digital Marketing CXO Leadership others Cybersecurity Management MCA Project Management Design Thinking healthcare Healthcare Data Science Finance Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details 'The hypothesis in question is that [31/ATLAS] is a technological artifact, and furthermore has active intelligence. If this is the case, then two possibilities follow. First, that its intentions are entirely benign and second, they are malign,' Dr. Loeb, Adam Drowl, and Adam Hibberd, wrote in a paper published on July 17. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Raisinghnagar: 1 Trick to Reduce Belly Fat? Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Loeb later clarified that the idea is a 'pedagogical exercise' rather than a confirmed theory, he warned that if the hypothesis were true, it could lend credibility to the Dark Forest hypothesis — the unsettling notion that alien civilizations stay silent to avoid hostile contact. In a blog post, he cautioned that the consequences for humanity could be dire if we were indeed being observed. Other scientists have pushed back firmly. Darryl Seligman of Michigan State University and Samantha Lawler from the University of Regina have both emphasized that 3I/ATLAS exhibits classical cometary features. Lawler called it 'an ordinary comet ejected from another solar system,' dismissing the alien technology theory as unlikely. Live Events Who is Avi Loeb? Avi Loeb is one of the most well-known — and controversial — voices in astrophysics today. He serves as the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, and is the Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Loeb also leads the Galileo Project , which seeks scientific evidence of extraterrestrial technology near Earth. Born in Israel, Loeb earned his PhD in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by the age of 24. He went on to become a long-term member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and has contributed over 1,000 scientific papers, with an h-index of 131. He has written several popular books, including Extraterrestrial and Interstellar , which explore the possibility of alien life and humanity's place in the cosmos. Loeb previously chaired Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011–2020) and helped launch the Black Hole Initiative. He has advised institutions ranging from the White House's President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, a project aimed at interstellar travel. Loeb is known not only for his academic achievements but also for his willingness to challenge conventional thinking — especially on the subject of extraterrestrial intelligence . Whether or not 3I/ATLAS proves to be a sign of alien life, Avi Loeb has once again sparked a global conversation.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Do pumpkin seeds have more protein than meat in a single serving? A nutritionist explains the truth
In the conversation on equivalence between plant and animal protein sources, the commonest comparison happens to be the one between pumpkin seeds and meat and poultry. That's because pumpkin seeds come closest to animal protein in terms of containing nine essential amino acids, although two of them are low. However, one cannot be a replacement for the other. What then do you need to do to achieve daily protein targets? 'The problem with existing nutrition conversations online today is that they are just half-truths and do not look at the totality. Pumpkin seeds are no doubt a good source of plant protein but they are not the standalone complete protein superfood that meat, fish and poultry are,' says Dr Seema Gulati, Head, Nutrition Research Group Center for Nutrition and Metabolic Research (C-NET). Why 100 gm of pumpkin seeds and 100 gm of meat are not the same A 100-gram serving of pumpkin seeds is nutrient-rich, offering a good source of calories, healthy fats, protein and fibre. They also provide various vitamins and minerals. This 100 gm serving gives between 30 gm and 32 gm of protein. The total calories are 550 calories, about 120 calories from the protein it contains and 430 calories from the fat. 'Pumpkin seeds are calorie-dense and have good fat, which is a mix of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. But they are fat nevertheless and you cannot have too much of them,' says Dr Gulati. Pumpkin seeds also have some carbohydrates. In comparison, 100 gm of meat or cooked chicken provides 31 gm of protein. But the total calorie count comes to 250 calories, 120 calories from protein. It contains negligible carbohydrates and is low fat. There is a lot of difference in the PDCAAS, or Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score. This method considers both the amino acid composition of a protein and how well it is digested and absorbed by the body. The score for meat is 0.92 and that of pumpkin seeds is 0.7. 'But the most important difference is in the portion size you eat for adequate amounts of protein. A 100 gm serving of any animal protein would not be more than a palmful and can be had in a single sitting. But 100 gm of pumpkin seeds cannot be had at one go because that would amount to three fistfuls. So no way can you say that 100 gm of pumpkin seeds can be had in a single meal as 100 gm of animal protein,' says Dr Gulati. What happens when you have too many pumpkin seeds at one go? Since they are rich in fibre, according to Dr Gulati, your digestive system may not be able to adjust to a sudden overload. 'Increase your intake gradually to avoid gas and bloating,' she says. Besides, she warns, pumpkin seeds contain phytic acid, also known as phytate, which can bind to minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium, making them less available for the body to absorb. 'That's why you need to soak or sprout pumpkin seeds and reduce phytic acid content. That's why having only pumpkin seeds in a single meal as concentrated plant protein is not recommended,' says Dr Gulati. Besides, not all pumpkin seeds provide the same benefits. 'If you buy processed or packaged pumpkin seeds, you're likely to get an extra dose of sodium and preservatives. And a packet of pumpkin seeds costs quite a bit,' she adds. How to include pumpkin seeds with other plant proteins and ensure a better protein intake? Dr Gulati recommends sprinkling pumpkin seeds over salads and using them with edamame beans, soyabean and peas. 'These plant-based proteins complement pumpkin seeds, helping to create a more complete profile for muscle building and overall health,' she says.
