Mysterious Interstellar Object

 The following story was obtained through The Daily Express and written by Cheyenne R. Ubiera.

NASA scientists stunned by mysterious interstellar object nearing Earth

A mysterious object hurtling through our solar system has left NASA scientists stunned as it draws closer to Earth.

New scans of 3I/ATLAS have found that the comet is not only much smaller than scientists previously believed but is also releasing a bunch of carbon dioxide gas.

About 904 trillion molecules of CO2 are released from the comet each second, suggesting that the comet is a star system that's completely different from ours.

Based on the light from 3I/ATLAS, scientists initially believed the comet was only 12 miles in diameter; however, NASA's most powerful telescopes have learned it's closer to 1.7 miles.

The size discrepancy is due to the light from a large, bright cloud of dust and the gas surrounding it, called a coma. At the time of writing, 3I/ATLAS is about 298 million miles from Earth.

Unlike other comets, most of the brightness around 3I/ATLAS comes from the cloud of dust around it instead of a solid core. The comet also doesn't show a lot of water vapor or CO2 gas being released, a strange occurrence for comets this close to the sun.

3I/ATLAS was first identified in July by the ATLAS telescope network, which looks for objects that could hit Earth. Photos of the comet were unknowingly taken by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile.

Until recently, 3I/ATLAS was completely unknown, leading Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb to theorize that it might have been created by an extraterrestrial civilization.

However, later findings in mid-August found that the comet may be a mixture of chunks of CO2 and ice - the CO2 keeps the ice cold, preventing it from melting into vapor.

Most comets also have tails or jets of gas and dust that follow behind them; however, 3I/ATLAS has a uniform cloud, making it extremely unusual. Scientists are still trying to determine the cause.

Based on the comet's path, it's likely that it'll pass through our solar system before traversing back into deep space, unlike Halley's comet, which comes back every 76 years.

3I/ATLAS is expected to be within 223 miles of Earth by December 17 and is only the third interstellar object ever detected to have traveled from outside the Milky Way.

The comet is traveling nearly 150,000 mph and is believed to be older than our sun.

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The following information was obtained through Bing AI Co-pilot.

The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, recently discovered, is the third of its kind observed in our solar system and is classified as a comet.

Discovery and Characteristics

• Initial Discovery: The object, initially dubbed A11pl3Z, was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. It was later confirmed as an interstellar object by NASA and the International Astronomical Union (IAU). 

• Size and Composition: 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be about 12 miles (20 kilometers) in diameter, making it significantly larger than previous interstellar objects like Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov. Its brightness and size allow for extended observation. The object appears to be primarily composed of ice rather than rock, as indicated by its "fuzziness" in observations. 

Trajectory and Future Path

• Speed and Trajectory: The object is traveling at an impressive speed of approximately 152,000 mph (245,000 km/h) and is on a straight trajectory that suggests it originated from outside the solar system. It is expected to pass just inside the orbit of Mars, posing no threat to Earth. 

• Closest Approach: 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the Sun in October 2025, after which it will continue on its path out of the solar system. 

Scientific Significance

• Research Opportunities: The discovery of 3I/ATLAS provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study the processes of planet formation in other star systems. Its characteristics may offer insights into the composition and behavior of interstellar objects. 

• In summary, 3I/ATLAS is a fascinating interstellar visitor that enhances our understanding of cosmic phenomena and the dynamics of objects traveling through our solar system. Scientists are eager to learn more about its origins and implications for future research.

Mysterious Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS: Emitting Its Own Light?