Interstellar Object Spotted Approaching Solar System

An object from beyond our Solar System is heading towards the Sun, potentially the third visitor from the stars ever detected, according to the European Space Agency.

The object, currently named A11pl3Z, is not a threat to Earth and will pass inside the orbit of Mars without colliding with the planet.

Excited astronomers are calculating its trajectory, estimating it to be moving at over 60 kilometers per second, indicating it is not bound by the Sun's orbit like comets and asteroids.

The object is believed to be from interstellar space and will return there after passing through our Solar System.

Official confirmation is awaited from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, with over 100 observations recorded so far.

Discovered by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey in Hawaii, the object is estimated to be 10-20 kilometers wide and will remain observable until next year.

This marks the third time humanity has detected an object from interstellar space, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study celestial bodies outside our Solar System.

Mark Norris, an astronomer, noted that the new object is moving faster than previous interstellar objects, with modeling suggesting there could be thousands of such objects in our Solar System.

While it's not feasible to intercept the object with a space mission, astronomers are eager to learn more about these interstellar visitors.

If signs of life precursors are found on such objects, it could indicate the potential for life in other star systems.

According to the source: Inquirer.net.