A new comet named 3I/ATLAS has been discovered, originating from interstellar space and entering the solar system. This is only the third such object identified, following 'Oumuamua and Comet Borisov. Astronomers are excited to study interstellar visitors, as they offer insights into distant star systems. The comet was detected by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile, and it poses no threat to Earth. It will be observable until September, then re-emerge in December for further study. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is expected to significantly increase discoveries of such interstellar objects in the future.
NASA has named this latest interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, after detecting it this week with the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. The comet is now about 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) away.
Astronomers have spotted a new comet, moving on a trajectory that indicates that it whizzed into our solar system from interstellar space and is just passing through.
Astronomers around the world are racing to use telescopes to learn more about its size and physical properties. It's moving fast, but poses no threat to Earth, according to NASA.
In December, it will re-emerge, allowing for more studies. Astronomers are anticipating an imminent bonanza of new discoveries of interstellar objects, thanks to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
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