US EditionInterstellar Comet Makes Closest Approach to Earth
Scientists observed low-energy X-rays from comet 3I/ATLAS as gases collided with solar wind, marking the third interstellar object studied during its 167 million mile Earth approach.
- The interstellar comet 3i/ATLAS is making its closest approach to Earth at 170 million miles away, moving at 130,000mph.
- While some speculate it could be an alien object due to its anomalous acceleration, astronomers consider it a typical comet whose changing color and brightness can be explained by natural phenomena.
- Regardless of its nature, 3i/ATLAS provides a valuable opportunity to study an object originating from another star system.
170 Articles
170 Articles
NASA just caught a rare glimpse of an interstellar comet
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This Week in Science: 3I/ATLAS Passes Earth, a Runaway Black Hole, And More!
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The telescopes of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias photographed the famous interstellar object on Friday when it was located at the closest point to the Earth of its journey through our solar system: "It is a gift for scientists", say astronomers.
3I/Atlas is only the third interstellar object discovered in the solar system.
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