A Cosmic Visitor from Afar

A mysterious traveler has been spotted heading towards our solar system. This object, now named 3I/ATLAS, is the third confirmed interstellar visitor. It's currently between the asteroid belt and Jupiter, moving at an incredible speed of about 130,000 miles per hour.

Origin and Discovery

The object's origin is quite intriguing. It appears to have come from the center of our galaxy, but its exact starting point remains unknown. This makes 3I/ATLAS a rare and exciting discovery for astronomers.

Initially thought to be an asteroid, further observations revealed it to be a comet. This is only the second known "rogue" comet, adding to its uniqueness. The discovery was a team effort, with telescopes worldwide contributing data.

Size and Composition

The size of 3I/ATLAS is still uncertain. If it were an asteroid, it would be about 12 miles wide. However, as a comet, its true size is harder to determine due to the surrounding coma and tail.

Opportunity for Observation

The good news is that astronomers will have plenty of time to study this cosmic visitor. Unlike previous interstellar objects that vanished quickly, 3I/ATLAS will be visible for a long time. It's expected to reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30, providing ample opportunity for observation.