Latest news with #JosepTrigo-Rodriguez
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers spot 'interstellar object' speeding through solar system
An "interstellar object" is speeding toward the inner solar system, where Earth is located, astronomers have confirmed. The object -- likely a comet -- was first detected in data collected between by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS -- an asteroid impact early warning system in Rio Hurtado, Chile, funded by NASA, the space agency announced on Tuesday. MORE: NASA detects new planet with temperatures that suggest habitable conditions Properties such as a marginal coma and short tail indicate signs of cometary activity, according to the Minor Planet Center. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported, NASA said. Observations from three different ATLAS telescopes around the world -- as well as the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California -- dating back to June 14 were gathered and provided data that supports the existence of the comet, according to a NASA update released Wednesday. It appears to be originating from interstellar space, arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently about 420 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, astronomers said. It is estimated to reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30, where it will cross at about 130 million miles away, just inside the orbit of Mars, according to NASA. MORE: NASA catches a glimpse of 'city-killer' asteroid before it disappears until 2028 The object, dubbed "A11pl3Z" or "3I/ATLAS," spans approximately 25 miles, Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, as astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, told The Associated Press. It's traveling at a speed of about 152,000 mph and approaching the inner solar system from the bar of the Milky Way, Live Science reported. Its trajectory suggests it did not originate in this solar system, according to This is only the third time in history that an interstellar object entering the inner solar system has been recorded. A cigar-shaped interstellar object called "Oumuamua," the Hawaiian word for "scout," was detected in 2017. And in 2019, an object named "21/Borisov" -- a comet that likely strayed from another star system -- was located. MORE: Asteroid nearly hits Earth in Siberia, with a 2nd massive asteroid passing this week Astronomers will continue to investigate the size and physical properties of the comet through September, after which it will pass too close to the sun to remain visible, NASA said. The comet is expected to reappear on the other side of the sun in early December, NASA said.
4 days ago
- Science
Astronomers spot 'interstellar object' speeding through solar system
An "interstellar object" is speeding toward the inner solar system, where Earth is located, astronomers have confirmed. The object -- likely a comet -- was first detected in data collected between by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS -- an asteroid impact early warning system in Rio Hurtado, Chile, funded by NASA, the space agency announced on Tuesday. Properties such as a marginal coma and short tail indicate signs of cometary activity, according to the Minor Planet Center. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported, NASA said. Observations from three different ATLAS telescopes around the world -- as well as the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California -- dating back to June 14 were gathered and provided data that supports the existence of the comet, according to a NASA update released Wednesday. It appears to be originating from interstellar space, arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently about 420 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, astronomers said. It is estimated to reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30, where it will cross at about 130 million miles away, just inside the orbit of Mars, according to NASA. The object, dubbed "A11pl3Z" or "3I/ATLAS," spans approximately 25 miles, Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, as astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, told The Associated Press. It's traveling at a speed of about 152,000 mph and approaching the inner solar system from the bar of the Milky Way, Live Science reported. Its trajectory suggests it did not originate in this solar system, according to This is only the third time in history that an interstellar object entering the inner solar system has been recorded. A cigar-shaped interstellar object called " Oumuamua," the Hawaiian word for "scout," was detected in 2017. And in 2019, an object named " 21/Borisov" -- a comet that likely strayed from another star system -- was located. Astronomers will continue to investigate the size and physical properties of the comet through September, after which it will pass too close to the sun to remain visible, NASA said.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Science
- Wales Online
Scientists baffled by object in space spotted hurtling towards us
Scientists baffled by object in space spotted hurtling towards us The European Space Agency said it has spotted a rocky object, which could be a comet or an asteroid Undated European Southern Observatory handout image of an artistÕs impression showing the first interstellar asteroid: `Oumuamua. (Image: PA ) Scientists have identified an object they suspect may have originated from another star system, and it seems to be heading towards Earth. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced today that its scientists have detected what could be the third extragalactic object ever to venture into the Milky Way. Currently, the harmless object, dubbed A11pl3Z, is several hundred million miles away from Earth, rounding Jupiter. From there, it will accelerate towards Earth, but it won't come anywhere near our planet. Instead, it's expected to visit one of our closest neighbours, Mars. At this stage, officials can't confirm what the object is - it could be a rocky asteroid or an icy comet, both of which are common in our galaxy. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here They also can't determine its size or shape. Undated European Southern Observatory handout image of an artistÕs impression showing the first interstellar asteroid: `Oumuamua. (Image: PA ) The ESA plans to conduct further observations to ascertain exactly where A11pl3Z originated from, and NASA, their American counterparts, are also keeping a close eye on the situation, reports the Mirror. Article continues below Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, from the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it's an interstellar object based on its unusual trajectory and high speed as it traverses the solar system. In an article for The Conversation, Dr Trigo-Rodriguez discussed A11pl3Z, suggesting "certain aspects of its extended appearance" could indicate the object is a comet. He stated: "There are certain aspects of its extended appearance that could point to it being a comet. The interstellar visitor was first identified by Crimea-based amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov, who spotted the comet using a telescope on August 30. (Image: Creative Commons/Tny873004 ) However, this will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks as it moves deeper into the solar system. He further added: "On the other hand, it is normal for an object subjected to the extremely low temperatures of interstellar space for millions of years to take longer than normal to 'wake up' from its slumber." Dr Trigo-Rodriguez estimates the object's size to be approximately 25 miles (40 kilometres) across and assures that it poses no threat to our planet. "The Scout programme at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Centre for the Study of Minor Bodies (CNEOs), has entirely dismissed any risk of a potential Earth impact. The closest the object will approach, according to the programme's estimates, is around 284 million kilometres (just over 176 million miles). The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. The Milky Way is seen over the Haleakala Observatory and the lights of Kahului, at right, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at the summit of Haleakala National Park near Kula, Hawaii. (Image: AP ) This visitor was named Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in tribute to the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Article continues below Initially classified as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since exhibited signs of being a comet. The second object - and A11pl3Z's direct predecessor - confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Science
- The Advertiser
Astronomers track object from outside the solar system
Scientists have discovered what might be only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the European Space Agency says. The harmless object is currently near Jupiter hundreds of millions of kilometres away and moving toward Mars but it should get no closer to the sun than that, according to scientists. It is too soon to know whether the object, designated for now as A11pl3Z, is a rocky asteroid or a icy comet or how big and what shape it is. More observations are needed to confirm its origins. NASA said it is monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. He estimates its size at about 40km across. The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honour of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet. Scientists have discovered what might be only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the European Space Agency says. The harmless object is currently near Jupiter hundreds of millions of kilometres away and moving toward Mars but it should get no closer to the sun than that, according to scientists. It is too soon to know whether the object, designated for now as A11pl3Z, is a rocky asteroid or a icy comet or how big and what shape it is. More observations are needed to confirm its origins. NASA said it is monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. He estimates its size at about 40km across. The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honour of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet. Scientists have discovered what might be only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the European Space Agency says. The harmless object is currently near Jupiter hundreds of millions of kilometres away and moving toward Mars but it should get no closer to the sun than that, according to scientists. It is too soon to know whether the object, designated for now as A11pl3Z, is a rocky asteroid or a icy comet or how big and what shape it is. More observations are needed to confirm its origins. NASA said it is monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. He estimates its size at about 40km across. The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honour of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet. Scientists have discovered what might be only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the European Space Agency says. The harmless object is currently near Jupiter hundreds of millions of kilometres away and moving toward Mars but it should get no closer to the sun than that, according to scientists. It is too soon to know whether the object, designated for now as A11pl3Z, is a rocky asteroid or a icy comet or how big and what shape it is. More observations are needed to confirm its origins. NASA said it is monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. He estimates its size at about 40km across. The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honour of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mirror
Scientists spot object possibly from outside our solar system 'headed for Earth'
The European Space Agency (ESA) said it is monitoring an unidentified object alongside Russia identified only as A11pl3Z as it hurtles at astonishing speed from outside the Milky Way Scientists have detected an object they believe may have originated from another star-system - and it appears to be heading in Earth's direction. The European Space Agency (ESA) said today that its scientists have detected what could be the third-ever extragalactic object to find its way to the Milky Way. At present, the service said, the harlmess object - which has been designated A11pl3Z - is several hundred millions of miles away from Earth, where it is rounding on Jupiter. From there, it will speed in Earth's direction, but it won't reach anywhere near the planet, and is expected to instead stop by one of our closest neighbours, Mars. Officials can't say what the object is at present - it's either a rocky asteroid or icy comet, neither of which is uncommon in our galaxy - how big it is, or what shape it is. The ESA plans to make further observations to confirm exactly from whence A11pl3Z came, and its US counterparts NASA are also monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. Writing about A11pl3Z in an article for The Conversation, Dr Trigo-Rodriguez said "certain aspects of its extended appearance" could point towards the object being a comet. He wrote: "There are certain aspects of its extended appearance that could point to it being a comet. However, this will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks as it moves deeper into the solar system. He added: "On the other hand, it is normal for an object subjected to the extremely low temperatures of interstellar space for millions of years to take longer than normal to 'wake up' from its slumber." He estimates its size at roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) across, and notes that it won't even come close to our planet. The Scout program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Center for the Study of Minor Bodies (CNEOs), has completedly ruled out any risk of a potential Earth impact. The closest it will come, the program estimates, is around 284 million kilometers (just over 176 million miles). The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object - and A11pl3Z's direct predecessor - confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 21/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet.
