Astronomers say that a mysterious object hurtling through our solar system is definitively a comet from deep space.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) says that that the comet, named 2I/Borisov, after amateur Crimean astronomer, Gennady Borisov, who discovered the object late last month, is officially the second known interstellar traveler to pass through our solar system.
According to the IAU, some amateur astronomers with good enough equipment will be able to observe our solar system’s newest visitor, as it’s set to remain nearby in the coming months.
Astronomers have confirmed the second-known interstellar object to fly through our solar system which they say is a comet from deep space
‘It is a bit uncertain to make estimates of the brightness of a comet, and in particular this interstellar one,’ President of the Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology International Astronomical Union, Gonzalo Tancredi, told MailOnline.
‘But, it is expected that it will be observable for medium-size telescopes (larger than 12″ + CCD) from late November until the end of January, but in the southern sky (declination below -10 deg).’
Astronomers say that 2l/Borisov has the most hyperbolic orbit of any of the thousands of comets observed before and is the second of such objects to be identified in just two years, meaning more of such discoveries could be in store.
Previously, astronomers identified an asteroid-like rock known as Oumuamua, making it the first known interstellar object to pass through our solar system.
Astronomers managed to capture an image of the newest interstellar comet hurtling through our solar system earlier this month.
The Gemini Observatory in Hawaii released the snapshot which was grabbed using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph located on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano and the highest point in the state.
Estimates on C/2019 Q4 project that the object could remain within our solar system for between six months to a full year, meaning astronomers may be able to get a particularly good look at its features, on its brightness
Estimates on 2l/Borisov project that the object could remain within our solar system for between six months to a full year, meaning astronomers may be able to get a particularly good look at its features, on its brightness.
On Thursday, the center released an official ‘circular’ — a document detailing information on the object’s orbit — which highlighted the apparent comet’s eccentric pattern. The faint object is circled above
‘We don’t know how bright it’s going to be. That’s always an issue with comets, so you’ve got that unpredictability, combined with the fact that it is interstellar. And this is the first interstellar comet we’ve seen,’ astronomy-software developer Bill Gray, told Forbes.
2l/Borisov will join Oumuamua as being one of two interstellar objects known to have pass through our corner of the galaxy.
Oumuamua, a mysterious cigar-shaped projectile, formally named object 1I/2017 U1, resembled both a comet and an asteroid, though it doesn’t conform to many of the other defining features usually associated with these objects, including its direction of spin and lack of a tail.
Astronomers identified an asteroid-like rock known as Oumuamua, the first known interstellar object to pass through our solar system two years ago. An artist’s impression of Oumuamua is pictured
Unlike the current comet which will remain observable for months, when astronomers spotted Oumuamua, they had just three weeks to observe it before it left our solar system.
Professional stargazer Robert Weryk first spotted the interstellar traveler in October, 2017 at the University of Hawaii’s Haleakala Observatory.
Researchers had just weeks to collect as much data as possible before the strange visitor traveled beyond the reach of Earth’s telescopes.
The object is now out of sight and could take up to 20,000 years before it leaves our solar system onto its next destination.
Interstellar objects like the ones recently discovered are particularly exciting for astronomers since they offer a rare, glimpse of what other parts of the galaxy may look like.
