SMRTR Science & EngineeringJul 3, 2025The Guardian

Scientists spot mystery object believed to come from beyond solar system

SMRTR summary

A new interstellar object, 3I/Atlas, has been discovered passing through our solar system. Spotted by a Chilean telescope, it's traveling at 37 miles per second on a hyperbolic orbit, suggesting an extrasolar origin. It shows signs of cometary activity with a faint coma and tail. This is the third known interstellar visitor after 'Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). Initially thought to be up to 12 miles wide, it's likely smaller. 3I/Atlas poses no threat to Earth and will reach its closest approach to the sun on October 30, about 130 million miles away.

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