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Astronomers discovered 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object moving at over 60 km/s towards the Sun. It’s the third known object from outside our solar system and will soon leave it.
This visitor is not stuck in orbit around the Sun and will continue its journey through space. (Credit: X/@NASAJPL)
Astronomers have spotted a new “interstellar object” flying through the solar system in the direction of the Earth. This is only the third time something from outside our solar system has been seen passing by.
According to American space agency NASA, the space object, now named 3I/ATLAS, is moving with great speed—over 60 kilometres per second—and is heading toward the Sun. NASA said it expects it to depart the solar system after passing close to the Sun in about four months.
Originally known as A11pl3Z, the object was initially detected between June 25 and June 29 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), which uses telescopes in South Africa and Hawaii, Live Science reported.
Later, experts confirmed it came from beyond the solar system and officially named it an “interstellar” object.
The term Interstellar means it came from far beyond the Sun’s reach, likely from another star system. It is learnt this visitor is not stuck in orbit around the Sun and will continue its journey through space.
3I/ATLAS is believed to be a comet or asteroid. The object is reportedly believed to be between 10 and 20 kilometres wide, making it the largest interstellar intruder ever discovered. But if it’s made of ice, it might be smaller than it looks because ice reflects more light.
It is flying at a speed of about 152,000 miles per hour ((245,000 km/h) and is moving towards Earth from the area of the night sky where the Milky Way’s bar is located.
Even though it will pass close—just inside the orbit of Mars—it will not pose any danger any planet in the solar system.
This is the third known object to come from another star system. The first was ‘Oumuamua in 2017, which sparked wild theories but turned out to be a natural rock. The second was Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
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