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A weird but weak interstellar visitor beyond our solar system is running towards the sun, and can see it live today!
Astronomers have identified this cosmic intruder as 3I/Atlas, which makes it the third object confirmed from outside the solar system after ‘Oumuamua (2017) and Comet 2i/Borisov (2019). The interstellar comet, originally designated C/2025 N1 (Atlas), was observed on July 1 by the Atlas Telescope (land impact impact system asteroid) in Río Hurtado, Chile. Since then, he has designated 3i/Atlas by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), with “3i” that marks it as the third known interstellar object.
“There are tentative reports of commentary activity,” says the MPC report. “With a marginal coma and a short” tail. “
You can see Comet 3I/Atlas Live Online Tonight (July 3), thanks to the virtual telescope project, which will be broadcast live at 6:00 pm EDT (2200 GMT). The FEED will show telescope images in many, Italy, which allows the weather. Tune in through the webtv channel, youtube of the virtual telescope or here at Space.com.
Currently, 3i/Atlas are approximately 4.5 astronomical units (AU), or 670 million kilometers (416 million miles), from the sun according to NASA, and around the magnitude 18.8, too weak for rear patio telescopes.
But it is expected to provide slightly as it approaches perihelion (point closest to the Sun) on October 30, when only 1.4 Au (130 million miles or 210 million km) of the sun within the orbit of Mars will pass.
The virtual telescope project captured a photo of the interstellar visitor on July 2, using one of its robotic telescopes to track the movement of tracking through the sky. In the exposure of 120 seconds, the comet appears as an acute light point, while the background stars show short paths due to their relative movement.
The object is the speed through the solar system at 68 kilometers per second (152,000 mph) in relation to the sun, and does not represent a threat to the earth, according to NASA.
After immersing behind the sun at the end of autumn, 3I/Atlas are expected to travel in early December, giving astronomers another opportunity to study this rare visitor from Beyond Ourond Hood.
