NASA Discovers Rare Interstellar Comet Traveling from Unknown Space
NASA has found a unique interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS, originating from outside our solar system. The comet, currently near Jupiter's orbit, will pass by the sun in October. This marks the third interstellar object observed in our solar system.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered a rare interstellar comet officially named 3I/ATLAS. Comet 3I/ATLAS was spotted by the Chile-based survey telescope ATLAS on July 1.
Astronomers are tracking a newly discovered comet from beyond our solar system. It is currently inside the orbit of Jupiter and will make its closest approach to the sun at the end of October, according to NASA's Davide Farnocchia.
The comet originated from interstellar space and is approaching from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. It is currently about 420 million miles away and traveling at a speed of around 37 miles per second from the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object observed visiting our solar system, following 1I/'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. NASA confirmed that the comet poses no threat to Earth and will pass at a safe distance.
University of Hawaii astronomer Larry Denneau mentioned that the comet appears to be icy and possibly around 10 km in diameter. The comet currently has a faint coma, but it may develop a more visible coma and tail as it approaches the sun.
NASA's Davide Farnocchia expressed excitement about these interstellar objects and the opportunity to gather more data to study them further.
According to the source: Mint.
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