Latest news with #Trigo-Rodriguez
Mint
11 hours ago
- Science
- Mint
Comet or asteroid? Unknown object speeding towards Earth leaves scientists puzzled
Scientists in Europe have detected what they believe could be the third known object from another star system to enter our solar system. The newly discovered space object, named A11pl3Z, was spotted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is currently several hundred million miles away, near Jupiter. Though it appears to be travelling towards Earth, experts say there is no danger as it will pass nowhere near our planet and is expected to fly past Mars instead, The Mirror reported. At this stage, scientists are unsure whether A11pl3Z is a rocky asteroid or an icy comet, both of which are common in space. Its precise size and shape are still unknown, and further observations are underway to better understand the object's origins. NASA scientists are also monitoring its progress closely. Read | Who is Anil Menon? The NASA astronaut set for his first International Space Station mission in 2026 Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, from the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona speaking with The Mirror said that the object's unusual speed and trajectory suggest it could be an interstellar visitor. Writing in The Conversation, Dr Trigo-Rodriguez explained, "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 also noted, "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 that the object measures around 40 kilometres (25 miles) across. Experts from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have confirmed through their Scout program at the Center for the Study of Minor Bodies (CNEOs) that there is no chance of the object striking Earth. According to their calculations, the closest it will come is about 284 million kilometres (roughly 176 million miles) away. If confirmed, A11pl3Z would be the third interstellar object recorded by astronomers. The first, named Oumuamua, was discovered in 2017 and initially classified as an asteroid before later being thought to be a comet. The second was 2I/Borisov, a comet detected in 2019, which also originated from beyond our solar system.
Wales Online
19 hours 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.
Daily Mirror
a day 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.
