science
The discovery of comet 3i/Atlas has captivated the attention of astronomers worldwide. The characteristics of this celestial body are detailed below.
Reference image. The interstellar comet 3i/Atlas may be observed when it approaches the orbit of Mars and then to the sun, according to astronomers. (Free Press Photo: Shuttersock)
On July 1, the observation of comet 3i/Atlas was reported. This was possible thanks to the telescope of the last system of land impact of asteroids (Atlas), device financed by the POT and located in Río Hurtado, Chile.
According to NASA, this kite is the third object discovered outside our solar system. Astronomers classify it as interstellar due to the hyperbolic form of their orbit, since it does not follow a closed trajectory around the sun.
“When tracking the orbit of 3i/Atlas towards the past, the kite clearly originated outside our solar system,” says the space agency.
NASA and other international sources have indicated that this kite does not represent a threat to Earth. It is estimated that its closest approach will be about 1.8 astronomical units (around 270 million kilometers or 170 million miles).
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NASA estimates that this will occur approximately October 30, 2025, at a distance of about 210 million kilometers, on the internal part of the orbit of Mars.
Regarding their exact measurement, astronomers investigate their physical size and properties. It is estimated that it will remain visible by land telescopes until September 2025.
NASA also reported that Comet will reappear on the other side of the Sun at the beginning of December 2025, which will allow to resume observations.
A curious fact is that its name comes from three elements: the name of the Atlas study, the letter I of interstellar and number 3, referring to the fact that it is the third object of this type discovered worldwide.