The Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of the 2nd known interstellar object – confirmed as a comet by earthly astronomers and named 2I/Borisov – on October 12, when the object was 260 million miles (420 million km) away. This object is believed to have arrived here from another solar system elsewhere in our galaxy. Image via NASA/ESA/D. Jewitt/SpaceTelescope.org.
As it sweeps through our neighborhood of space, astronomers are rushing to study it. Astronomers in Poland just published the 1st peer-reviewed paper about it. Although comet 2I/Borisov appears to be an outcast from another star system, its properties are “surprisingly familiar,” these astronomers said. Read more.
They're easier to see - in the west after sunset - from Earth's Southern Hemisphere right now. But, if you live north of the equator, give them a try as well. No matter where you are, Venus will appear surprisingly bright for being so low in the sky. Charts and more here.
Here's a Hubble Telescope view of a spiral galaxy oriented sideways. The dust and spiral arms of spiral galaxies, like our own Milky Way, appear flat when viewed edge-on. This galaxy, called NGC 3717, is located about 60 million light-years away in the direction of our constellation Hydra the Water Snake. Image via ESA.
