
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Tune in on Nov. 16 to witness detailed telescopic views of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it races headlong away from the sun on an escape trajectory from our solar system, courtesy of a livestream hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project.
The Virtual Telescope Project's YouTube livestream begins at 11:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 16 (0415 GMT on Nov. 17) and will feature live views of comet 3I/ATLAS captured by the organization's suite of robotic telescopes situated in Manciano, Italy.
Comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 earlier this year and was swiftly confirmed to be just the third interstellar object ever to visit our solar system, based on an analysis of its trajectory. The interstellar comet recently made its closest approach to the sun on Oct. 30 during an event known to astronomers as "perihelion" and has only recently emerged out from behind our parent star.
Virtual Telescope Project founder Gianluca Masi captured a stunning image of comet 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 11, which revealed the interstellar invader's glowing central coma and lengthening smoke-like ion tail being carried away by the solar wind.
3I/ATLAS can currently be found rising above the eastern horizon in the hours directly preceding dawn in mid-to-late November, travelling through the stars of the constellation Virgo.
With an estimated magnitude (or brightness) of +10.9, 3I/ATLAS is too dim to be spotted by the naked eye, though a small backyard telescope will be capable of resolving its bright central coma as a fuzzy blob of diffuse light against the sharper points of the stars beyond.
Editor's Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Rediscovering Euphoria: Individual Accounts of Conquering Despondency - 2
German gas price bill signed into law, but consumers not impressed - 3
Pain at the pump for Hampton Roads residents - 4
Canada cancels its 1st moon rover: 'It's hopefully not a lost cause' - 5
What's going around right now? COVID, flu, stomach bug on the rise
Italy now recognizes the crime of femicide and punishes it with life in prison
Interoceanic Train derails in southern Mexico, injuring at least 15 and halting traffic on line
Productive CRM Programming for Client Relationship The executives
Why the Houthis waited until now to strike
How to watch the last supermoon of the year
Airport wait times won't return to normal until Congress reaches a deal to pay TSA. Here's why they still can't come to an agreement.
Central African Republic's president sworn in for a third term after disputed election
Satellite observations offer insight into a tsunami's early stages
Manual for 6 Hot Brilliant Beds












