A celestial object, presumed to have originated from outside the solar system, has been detected. According to analyses conducted by research institutions, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it has been confirmed that it does not pose a threat to Earth.
This celestial object was first detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on the 1st (local time). It has been named "3I/ATLAS", previously referred to as A11pl3Z.
NASA is tracking the trajectory of 3I/ATLAS since June 14, based on previous data analysis. Based on its orbit, this celestial object is assumed to have come from outside the solar system. It is the third interstellar object discovered by humanity, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019. An interstellar object refers to a celestial body originating from outside the solar system.
3I/ATLAS has been confirmed to have a weak tail and a gas atmosphere known as a "coma," earning it the designation of the comet "C/2025 N1." Comets, like asteroids, are small celestial bodies that orbit around the sun in elongated elliptical orbits; however, they differ in that they have tails. This comet is different in that it has come from outside the solar system.
Currently, this celestial object is passing through the solar system at a speed of about 60 km per second at a distance of approximately 670 million km from the sun, heading toward the direction of Sagittarius. According to NASA, it is expected to approach about 200 million km from the sun around October 30 before changing direction and exiting the solar system. This will place it slightly inside the orbit of Mars.
The size of the celestial object is estimated to be up to 20 km. This figure is calculated based on the brightness of the coma, the gas layer of the comet. It is larger than the estimated diameter of 12 km for the Chicxulub asteroid, which caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, due to the gas cloud of the comet, it may be predicted to be larger than its actual size. Additionally, unlike during the age of the dinosaurs, this comet does not pose a threat to Earth. NASA noted, "This celestial object does not pose a threat to Earth and will maintain a distance of at least about 240 million km."
Recent sightings of interstellar objects have led to speculation that there may be more similar celestial bodies in the galaxy than previously thought. The astronomical community plans to continue precise analyses of the object's composition and origin through additional observations in the future.
Mark Norris, a professor at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, stated to The Guardian, "If this celestial object is confirmed as an interstellar object, it will provide further evidence that interstellar objects are relatively common in our galaxy."
3I/ATLAS is not visible to the naked eye. Professor Norris anticipated, "As we approach October, it is expected to be observable with amateur telescopes." NASA also stated, "3I/ATLAS can be observed with ground-based telescopes until September, but after that, it is expected to approach too close to the sun for observation. We expect it to reappear on the opposite side of the sun in early December, allowing observations to resume."
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