Our solar system has a new mysterious visitor – what is it?

“At the moment it is difficult to say how big it is,” says Greenstreet. Based on how much sunlight it reflects, it could be between 6 and 15 miles long. This is much larger than 'Oumuamua (about a quarter mile long) and 2i/Borisov (two thirds of a mile long). But his coma and the current distance cover the real size of its probably smaller solid core.

Not too much is known about 3i/Atlas, but its trajectory through the solar system works in favor of the astronomers. “It will go inside for a few more months before it kicks back on the way again,” says Aster Taylor, doctoral student of astrophysics at the Michigan University. “It moves quickly … [but] We will have time to watch it. “Observatories all over the world and even those in space spend time to pursue them.

While it dives in the direction of the sun, 3i/Atlas will come to Mars in early October within 18 million miles. Several spaceships are currently circling the red planet and can use their cameras to examine the chemistry of 3i/Atlas and other characteristics that study after the division.

Astronomers expect a lot more cometary activities. Comets often consist of different types of ice, including frozen carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water. In the next few weeks, 3i/Atlas will come close enough to the sun so that its water ice will start to evaporate his coma and extend its luminescent tail.

“Be looking for pictures in the coming months Travel through our corner of galaxy, ”says Greenstreet.