Interstellar object 'A11pl3Z' speeds through solar system

An object from outside the solar system has been spotted hurtling towards the sun, the European Space Agency (ESA) has said.

If confirmed, it would be the third visitor from the stars ever detected.

The object, currently referred to as 'A11pl3Z', poses no threat to Earth, according to the ESA's planetary defence head Richard Moissl.

Moissl mentioned that it will pass just inside the orbit of Mars but will not hit the planet.

Astronomers believe the object is traveling at a speed of up to 60km per second, indicating it is not bound by the sun's orbit like comets that originate within the solar system.

Its trajectory suggests it is not orbiting our star but is coming from interstellar space and will return there.

'A11pl3Z', believed to have come from another star, entered our solar system.

Official confirmation is expected from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, which has recorded over 100 observations of the object.

The object, estimated to be 10-20km wide, is expected to get brighter and closer to the sun until late October, remaining observable by telescope until next year.

The first interstellar object, 'Oumuamua', was discovered in 2017, followed by the second visitor, '2I/Borisov', in 2019.

Mr. Moissl stated that it is not feasible to intercept the new object, which is moving faster than the previous two extra-solar objects.

Mark Norris, an astronomer at the UK's University of Central Lancashire, mentioned that there could be as many as 10,000 interstellar objects drifting through the solar system at any given time.

These visitors provide a rare opportunity to study objects outside our solar system, offering insights into the potential conditions for life in other star systems.

According to the source: RTE.ie.