Briefly

UNITED STATES

Comet surprises astronomers

Astronomers are tracking a newly spotted comet hailing from parts unknown, only the third time such an interstellar object has been observed visiting our solar system. According to the US space agency NASA, the interloper, named 3I/ATLAS, was first spotted on Tuesday by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Astronomers said its unusual trajectory indicated it had ventured from beyond our solar system. Astronomers said the comet poses no threat to Earth. It is currently located about 670 million kilometers from the Sun and will reach its closest approach to the Sun around Oct 30, when it will be about 210 million km away from our star.