A 33-billion-ton interstellar ghost is currently haunting our solar system, sporting a bizarre 'anti-tail' that has left the global scientific community in a state of fascinated debate. This object represents a rare opportunity for study, as it is the third interstellar visitor discovered within our solar system in the last decade.
On Friday, December 19, the ancient visitor 3I/ATLAS will come closest to Earth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for scientists to study a relic that is older than our sun. While the object poses no threat to our planet, the sheer scale and mystery of this interstellar traveller are enough to capture the imagination of even the most casual stargazers.
