Astronomers have identified a fast-moving object, named A11pl3Z, that is heading toward the Sun and appears to have originated outside our solar system. (Photo credit: David Rankin/Catalina Sky Survey)
Astronomers have spotted what they think may be an “interstellar object” hurtling through the solar system — and it’s headed our way. The space object, likely the third ever observed, will make its closest approach to the sun in about four months before leaving our cosmic neighborhood forever.
The newly discovered object, currently designated A11pl3Z, was first spotted in data collected from June 25 to 29 by the Atmospheric Land Impact Alert System (ATLAS), which automatically surveys the night sky using telescopes in Hawaii and South Africa. The mystery object was confirmed by both NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies and the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center on Tuesday (July 1), according to EarthSky.org.
A11pl3Z is likely a large asteroid or possibly a comet, which could be up to 12 miles (20 kilometers) in diameter. It is moving toward the inner solar system at an incredible speed of about 152,000 miles per hour (245,000 km/h), and is approaching us from the region of the night sky where the Milky Way is located.
You may like
-
Extreme 'zombie star' capable of ripping human atoms apart flies through the Milky Way – and no one knows where it came from
-
Strange New Object Sends Radio Signals to Earth Every 44 Minutes
Sourse: www.livescience.com
