
NASA confirms 3I/ATLAS as third interstellar object passing through our solar system
solar system
has officially been confirmed by
NASA
as an interstellar visitor — only the third of its kind ever recorded. The object, initially labelled A11pl3Z, has now been renamed
3I/ATLAS
, with '3I' denoting its status as the third
interstellar object
detected.
The discovery was made in late June 2025 by the
Asteroid
Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), a NASA-funded network of telescopes scanning the skies from Hawaii, Chile, and South Africa. According to
NASA's ATLAS project
, the object was captured in data collected between June 25 and 29, with earlier sightings traced back to June 14.
On July 1, both
NASA
and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) confirmed its interstellar status based on its speed, orbit, and trajectory—characteristics that make it distinctly not bound by the Sun's gravity.
Meet third known interstellar visitor after ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
[화제] 갱년기 불면증으로 고생하셨던 분들 '이것' 먹고 푹 주무세요!
리피어라
더 알아보기
Undo
3I/ATLAS is hurtling toward the Sun at an incredible speed of 152,000 miles per hour (245,000 km/h)—far faster than most objects orbiting within our solar system, according to reports. What makes this object truly remarkable, however, is its hyperbolic trajectory. Unlike typical comets or asteroids that follow elliptical paths around the Sun, a hyperbolic orbit means 3I/ATLAS isn't gravitationally bound to our star. Instead, it's passing through from deep space—entering the solar system once, then heading back out forever. In other words, this rare visitor is just making a brief stop in our cosmic neighbourhood before continuing its journey across the galaxy.
According to planetary scientist
Sarah Greenstreet
of the University of Washington, 'Its orbit is too steep, and its speed is too great for it to be a solar system object'
Only two other interstellar objects have ever been confirmed:
ʻOumuamua in 2017—a cigar- or pancake-shaped object that left astronomers baffled.
2I/Borisov in 2019—a
comet
with more conventional behaviour.
With just three known samples, studying 3I/ATLAS gives researchers an unprecedented chance to better understand the nature of objects from beyond our solar system.
Astronomers race to study 3I/ATLAS before it leaves forever
Astronomers are now racing to collect data on the object using a global network of ground- and space-based telescopes. 3I/ATLAS is thought to have a coma—the glowing halo of gas typical of comets—indicating that it contains volatile ices now vaporising as it nears the Sun.
A recent
observation
suggests the object may appear reddish, hinting at its ancient composition—likely formed from primordial matter in another star system billions of years ago.
Estimates suggest the object could be anywhere from 6 to 15 miles long, significantly larger than its predecessors. Its closest approach will bring it within 18 million miles of Mars in early October 2025. Several orbiters around the Red Planet may get the chance to image the object up close. As 3I/ATLAS speeds toward the inner solar system, scientists expect its cometary tail to grow, offering stunning visuals and deeper insight into its composition. 'We'll have a few more months before it heads back out,' said Aster Taylor, an astrophysicist at the University of Michigan. 'This is a rare chance to study a piece of another planetary system—up close and in real-time,' added Greenstreet.
Also Read:
The 10 most powerful telescopes on Earth and in space transforming modern astronomy
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
CBSE class 10 science sample paper 2026: These 5 questions can be a game changer for students
CBSE class 10 science sample paper 2025 CBSE sample question paper 2026: With the CBSE Class 10 board exams around the corner, students often struggle to prioritise what to study in the vast Science syllabus. The 2025-26 sample paper released by CBSE offers valuable clues. Experts and teachers recommend focusing on high-yield, concept-driven questions that are likely to be repeated in similar formats. These questions not only test a student's understanding of fundamental principles but also integrate real-life applications, making them ideal for thorough revision. Students can access the official sample question paper released by CBSE by visiting the board's website, The same can also be downloaded by clicking on the link provided below. Direct link to download CBSE class 10 science sample question paper 2025 here . Important questions from CBSE class 10th science sample paper Based on the official sample paper, here are five such important questions, carefully selected from Biology, Chemistry and Physics, that every Class 10 student must master. These are not just likely to appear in exams, but also build a strong foundation for higher classes and competitive exams. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Question: Puneet wanted to grow banana plants. (5 marks) Based on your knowledge on plant reproduction should he opt for seeds or any alternate method of reproduction. Justify your answer. Offsprings of a banana plant usually show very little variation. What causes variation and are variations good or bad? Justify. Question: A hydrocarbon with the formula CxHy undergoes complete combustion as shown in the following equation: 2CxHy + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O. (5 marks) What are the values of 'x' and 'y'? Give the chemical (IUPAC) name of the hydrocarbon. Draw its electron dot structure. Name the alcohol which on heating with conc. H2SO4 will produce the above hydrocarbon CxHy. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of CxHy with hydrogen gas in presence of Nickel. Question: The arrangement of resistors shown in the figure below is connected to a battery.; The power dissipation in the 100 Ω resistor is 81 W. (5 marks) Calculate: the current in the circuit the reading in the voltmeter V2 the reading in the voltmeter V1 Question: In a genetic experiment, plants with pure round green seeds (RRyy) were crossed with plants with wrinkled yellow seeds (rrYY). (3 marks) Show the gametes formed when F1 was self-pollinated. A total of 144 seeds were produced which developed into saplings. Show the ratio in which these traits are independently inherited in these144 sapling. Question: Zarina worked as an apprentice in a factory where flashlights and solar cookers are made. She learnt to make the circuits, the design of the light-box and light concentrators of the solar cookers as well. She learnt the uses of lenses in making all those tools. Based on your understanding of lenses, answer the following questions. (4 marks) What kind of lenses are used in the flashlight and light concentrator of the solar-cooker? Give reasons for your choices in your answer for part A. Attempt either of the two subparts. An object is placed 40 cm away from a lens which is normally used in a solar-cooker. The image formed is twice the size of the object. Calculate the focal length of the lens. OR An object is placed 20 cm in front of a lens which is used in a flashlight, and the image is formed 10 cm away from the lens on the same side as the object. Calculate the focal length of the lens. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why Elon Musk hates researchers and loves engineers — after he corrected xAI employee Aditya Gupta's hiring post
Elon Musk recently made waves by publicly correcting a hiring post from an xAI employee, Aditya Gupta, who initially sought to recruit both "researchers" and "engineers" for the artificial intelligence startup. Musk emphatically declared that the term "researcher" is outdated, pretentious, and fosters a problematic two-tier system within the engineering workforce. He insisted that at xAI—and also at SpaceX—everyone should simply be called "engineers." This shift reflects Musk's vision for a unified, accountable, and highly practical technical team, breaking away from traditional academic distinctions he views as unnecessary and even harmful to innovation and team cohesion. Elon Musk's perspective: Engineers over researchers Elon Musk has been vocal about his dislike for the title "researcher," which he frequently describes as a "relic of academia." In Musk's view, the label 'researcher' creates an artificial hierarchy within technical teams, suggesting that researchers are somehow distinct, or even less accountable, compared to engineers. He argues that this division weakens ownership, blurs responsibility, and fosters a separation that slows practical progress. Elon Musk reasons that in fast-paced technology companies like xAI and SpaceX , what matters most is the ability to build, iterate, and solve real-world problems—responsibilities encompassed by the role of an "engineer." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo By rejecting the researcher title, Musk aims to eliminate what he perceives as academic pretentiousness that can sometimes encourage theoretical work disconnected from product outcomes. He emphasizes that this distinction is not only outdated but counterproductive, introducing inefficiencies and hindering collaboration. As Musk noted, his insistence on the universal "engineer" title promotes a culture where every team member is equally accountable for delivering tangible, impactful results, fostering a meritocratic and results-driven environment. Practical engineering over theoretical research At xAI, Musk champions a workforce composed of builders and implementers rather than theorists. The company's mission to rapidly advance AI technologies, relying on cutting-edge methods like reinforcement learning and massive computing infrastructure, requires a practical, hands-on approach. Musk specifically points out that although SpaceX conducts groundbreaking technological research, it never labels any employees as 'researchers.' This reflects his belief that true innovation depends on rigorous engineering discipline, rapid prototyping, and direct problem-solving. This approach denotes a preference for those who can translate ideas into working systems efficiently, rather than spending extended time in exploratory research without definite product outcomes. In Musk's philosophy, eliminating the 'researcher' distinction accelerates the engineering feedback loop, promoting speed and accountability critical for breakthrough innovation. Impact on company culture and the AI industry Musk's correction of the xAI hiring post is more than a cosmetic change—it embodies his no-nonsense, high-accountability management style. By publicly enforcing uniform job titles, Musk sends a clear message that academic or theoretical fragmentation has no place in his companies. Experts interpret this move as symbolic of a broader Silicon Valley trend favoring flatter, integrated teams with streamlined roles to enhance agility and rapid product delivery. However, this shift has its critics. Some industry analysts warn that entirely removing the "researcher" role risks sidelining deep exploratory inquiry and ethical considerations essential in AI development—areas traditionally safeguarded by academic research freedoms. The balance between practical engineering and theoretical investigation remains a subject of debate. The ripple effects and future outlook Elon Musk's terminological shift is already influencing company cultures beyond xAI. SpaceX has long embraced this engineering-only framework, and other prominent AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are experimenting with novel job title structures to blur conventional boundaries between research and engineering roles. Musk's approach underscores his desire to build startups that push technological frontiers aggressively while maintaining crystal-clear lines of accountability and measurable output. Whether this 'engineer-only' model will foster faster innovation or create challenges in navigating the complex landscape of AI research remains to be seen. For now, Elon Musk has unequivocally communicated his stance: at xAI, there are no researchers—only engineers—united in building the future of artificial intelligence.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Americans eating ultra-processed foods like bread, soda, and noodles at higher risk of lung cancer, says new study
A large-scale US study has found that people who consume the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are 41 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer than those who eat the least. This food category already makes up more than half of the average diet in the UK and the US. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Thorax , the study drew on data from the US Prostate , Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials, which tracked 101,732 adults aged 55 to 74 over a decade. Also Read: Burger King menu change adds 4 cold foam coffees and 2 real juice sips; see flavors and calorie counts by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Support Your Income SpellRock Undo Researchers assessed their diets, categorizing foods from minimally processed to ultra-processed, and monitored cancer diagnoses until 2009 and deaths until 2018. Live Events UPFs, defined as industrially manufactured foods high in additives, preservatives, flavour enhancers, and low in nutritional value, include everyday items like sour cream, ice cream, instant noodles, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, frozen meals, and shop-bought pizzas. During the follow-up, 1,706 participants were diagnosed with lung cancer, 1,473 with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 233 with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Even after accounting for known risk factors such as smoking and general diet quality, the risk of NSCLC was 37 per cent higher, and SCLC was 44 per cent higher among those who consumed the most UPFs. The researchers noted that while the study was observational and cannot prove causation, the findings contribute to a growing body of evidence. A 2024 BMJ meta-analysis had already linked UPFs to 32 adverse health outcomes, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and early mortality. Experts point to how UPFs alter the food matrix and may introduce harmful chemicals during processing or through packaging. Substances like acrolein, a toxic compound also found in cigarette smoke, can form in grilled sausages and caramelized products. While speaking to The Independent, Nutritionist Rob Hobson said the findings are a reminder of how the modern food environment prioritizes cheap, convenient, and aggressively marketed products. 'It's not about being perfect,' he added, 'but about making small shifts, cooking more from scratch, adding more whole foods, and becoming more aware of the UPFs in your diet.'