An Unexpected Cosmic Traveler: Third Interstellar Object Ever Detected Hurtles Through Our Solar System
Our solar system is once again at the center of an astronomical event of rare magnitude. NASA scientists have confirmed the arrival of a mysterious interstellar object , the third of its kind ever observed, hurtling toward the Sun at impressive speeds. This cosmic visitor, formerly known as A11pl3Z, now has an official name and intriguing new insights into its nature and trajectory.
The announcement of this extrasolar entity came on July 1, when NASA and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially classified it. Its discovery occurred between June 25 and 29 thanks to data from the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System ( ATLAS ) , a network of telescopes that scans the night sky. Further observations then revealed its presence in data dating back to June 14.
An Incredible Trajectory and an Astonishing Speed
What makes this object particularly noteworthy is its speed and trajectory . It is traveling toward the Sun at about 245,000 km/h and observations indicate an extremely flat and straight path, unlike any other celestial body within our solar system. This anomaly immediately suggested to experts that the object came from beyond the gravitational influence of the Sun and possesses enough kinetic energy to pass through our cosmic neighborhood without slowing down.
The trajectory of the mysterious space object
From Asteroid to Comet: The 3I/ATLAS Revelation
On July 2, NASA released a crucial statement, confirming that A11pl3Z is, indeed, an interstellar object and that its stay in the solar system will be brief. Its new official name is 3I/ATLAS , and, overturning initial assumptions that classified it as an asteroid , it has now been determined that it is most likely a comet , with the full name C/2025 N1 (ATLAS).
An Extremely Rare Phenomenon: The Predecessors of 3I/ATLAS
So far, only two other interstellar visitors have been confirmed:
- Comet 2I/Borisov : Spotted in 2019 as it passed through the solar system.
- 'Oumuamua : The cigar-shaped object that caused a stir in 2017. Initially hypothesized by some to be an alien probe, it was later classified as a space rock.
Scientists have long speculated that many more interstellar interlopers are passing through our cosmic neighborhood undetected, making each discovery a rare event. It is estimated that as many as a million “interstellar objects,” each larger than the Statue of Liberty, may lurk in the outer solar system.
Cometary Clues and No Danger to Earth
Initial images of 3I/ATLAS had suggested that it could be an asteroid , similar to ‘Oumuamua. However, NASA now predicts it is a comet, having shown “preliminary signs of cometary activity” like 2I/Borisov. These include the presence of a coma , a bright cloud of gas and ice surrounding it, and what appears to be a tail , according to the IAU’s Minor Planet Center. Further observations will be needed for definitive confirmation.
There is no additional information yet on its precise size or shape, but current estimates suggest it could be up to 20 kilometers in diameter. NASA has, however, provided updated details on its journey.
Initial images of 3I/ATLAS suggested it might be an asteroid. However, NASA now believes it is a comet. (Image: David Rankin/Catalina Sky Survey)
The 3I/ATLAS Path: A Rendezvous with the Sun and Mars
3I/ATLAS is currently about 4.5 times the distance from the Sun that Earth is. It will reach its closest point to the Sun, or perihelion, on October 30 , coming within 1.4 astronomical units (AU) of our star. Shortly before that, the comet will make its closest approach to Mars , passing within about 0.4 AU of the Red Planet.
Earth will be on the opposite side of the Sun from 3I/ATLAS during its solar transit. The comet will make its closest approach to Earth in December as it heads out of the solar system again. Because of this, “the comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a [minimum] distance of at least 1.6 astronomical units,” NASA officials said.
Opportunity for Observation and In-Depth Study
The intruder is currently too faint to observe with amateur equipment, but it could brighten significantly in the coming weeks and months. Its transit will be available to follow via a livestream from the Virtual Telescope Project , starting at 12 p.m. EST on July 3.
“3I/ATLAS is now being investigated by astronomers around the world,” NASA officials wrote. Researchers will be able to study it until late September, when it will be obscured by sunlight, and again from December onward, when the comet reemerges from behind our star.
The interstellar visitor is expected to be captured by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory , the world's most powerful optical telescope, which recently released its first images. Some researchers have also suggested using the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA's Mars rovers to photograph the object as it hurtles toward the Sun, offering unprecedented opportunities to understand these rare cosmic travelers.
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This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/cometa-interstellare-3i-atlas-visitatore-spazio-sole/ on Sat, 05 Jul 2025 15:00:47 +0000.