When astronomers see something in the universe that at first glance seems like one-of-a-kind, it's bound to stir up a lot of excitement and attention. This mysterious visitor from the depths of space first caught skywatchers' attention in late August 2019 when it was officially discovered whizzing through the Solar System on a trajectory that indicated an interstellar origin.
After analyzing the object, astronomers identified it as a comet named Comet 21/Borisov which is the first identified comet and the second observed interstellar interloper after the infamousʻOumuamua to arrive here from another star.
NASA states that they don't know from where or when the comet started heading toward our Sun, but it won't hang around for long. The Sun's gravity is slightly deflecting its trajectory, but can't capture it because of the shape of its orbit and high velocity of about 100,000 miles per hour.
Hubble revealed that the heart of the comet, a loose agglomeration of ices and dust particles, is likely no more than about 3,200 feet across, about the length of nine football fields.
Now, this month, astronomers checking in on the object found that something weird was happening.
In the next video, nemesis maturity explains what going on with this mysterious interstellar visitor.
After analyzing the object, astronomers identified it as a comet named Comet 21/Borisov which is the first identified comet and the second observed interstellar interloper after the infamousʻOumuamua to arrive here from another star.
NASA states that they don't know from where or when the comet started heading toward our Sun, but it won't hang around for long. The Sun's gravity is slightly deflecting its trajectory, but can't capture it because of the shape of its orbit and high velocity of about 100,000 miles per hour.
Hubble revealed that the heart of the comet, a loose agglomeration of ices and dust particles, is likely no more than about 3,200 feet across, about the length of nine football fields.
Now, this month, astronomers checking in on the object found that something weird was happening.
In the next video, nemesis maturity explains what going on with this mysterious interstellar visitor.