Two weeks ago , a Crimean stargazer discoveredC/2019 Q4 , a high - speed space object that is probable to be the first interstellar comet and 2d interstellar object ever chance on . The eubstance is getting closer and closer to the inner Solar System and is getting bright , allowing for more observations .
Astronomers at the Gemini Observatory have now deliver the first multicolored photograph of the physical object . The figure was taken during the night between September 9 and 10 using the Gemini Multi - Object Spectrograph on the Gemini North Telescope on Hawaii ’s Maunakea .
The prototype was involve with two filters with four 60 - second exposure which show absolutely its foggy appearance , bright core , and tail assembly . These are all hallmarks of a comet . The tail suggest the comet is outgassing ( secrete gas ) , something not see at all from ‘ Oumuamua , the first confirm interstellar object , which passed through the internal Solar System two years ago .
“ This simulacrum was possible because of Gemini ’s power to quickly adjust observation and observe object like this , which have very short windows of visibility , ” Andrew Stephens of the Gemini Observatory , who coordinated the observance , said in astatement . “ However , we really had to scramble for this one since we start out the final details at 3:00 am and were observing it by 4:45 ! ”
C/2019 Q4 is yet to be confirmed to be an interstellar objective but its orbit and speed powerfully suggest it is . The comet is over 400 million kilometers ( 250 million sea mile ) from the Sun and its current velocity is about 150,000 kilometers ( 93,000 miles ) per hour , much faster than any have a go at it Solar System target at that space .
NASAreported that the comet ’s core is estimated to be between 2 and 16 kilometre ( 1.2 - 10 miles ) across . The comet is derive in at a 40 - degree slant with respect to the orbital sheet of the Solar System , which it will cut through on October 26 . The closest it will get to the Sun is twice as far as the Earth on December 8 , when it will be roughly 300 million km ( 190 million miles ) away .
Researchers believe that at any given time there is at least one interstellar physical object within the orbit of Mars , though we will never see all of them as the vast majority are too small and faint to be spot .
C/2019 Q4 was first respect on August 30 by Gennady Borisov at the MARGO observation tower in Nauchnij , Crimea .
