A team of astronomers has detected a mysterious celestial object approaching the Sun at an extremely high speed. The object, dubbed "3I ATLAS," is the third confirmed extrasolar object to pass through the solar system in recent history, following "Oumuamua" in 2017 and "Borisov" in 2019.
Scientists explained that the interstellar comet "3I ATLAS," recently observed entering the solar system, may be the oldest object of its kind ever seen by humanity.
According to NASA, the object, likely a comet, is moving at a speed exceeding 210,000 kilometers per hour and is expected to reach its closest point to the Sun in late October 2025 before continuing its journey out of the solar system.
NASA indicated that, within less than 24 hours of observing it, scientists were able to confirm that the object does not belong to the solar system, raising interest in its origin and composition.
The agency reported that 3I ATLAS exhibits comet-like behavior, surrounded by a cloud of gas and ice. Its size, including its halo, is estimated to be about 24 kilometers across, making it significantly larger than its predecessors, Oumuamua and Borisov.
NASA indicated that 3I ATLAS will not pose a threat to Earth, as it will approach the sun at a distance of 1.5 times the distance between Earth and the sun, and will not approach Earth at less than 1.6 astronomical units (about 240 million kilometers). It may become visible to the naked eye or using simple telescopes in the coming months as it approaches the sun.
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