A new interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS has been discovered visiting our Solar System.
It is only the third known interstellar visitor after 'Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov.
The object was first detected by the ATLAS telescope in Chile on July 1 and confirmed by the Minor Planet Center.
3I/ATLAS is likely a comet traveling at about 60 kilometres per second, making it the fastest interstellar object seen so far.
It will make its closest approach to the Sun in October, but Earth will be on the opposite side of the Solar System then.
Because it was found early, astronomers will have several months to observe and analyse it before it exits the Solar System next year.
Improved telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory are expected to help discover more interstellar objects in the future.
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