SIGNS IN THE SKIES: Scientists claim discovery of Visitor comet that Did not originate in our solar system

SIGNS IN THE SKIES: Scientists claim discovery of Visitor comet that Did not originate in our solar system

Scientists believe they have found a comet in our solar system that came from outer space – in an astonishing first. The comet known as C/2017 U1 was discovered on September 24 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii when it was making its way away from the sun after a close approach with our host star. Astronomers noted that, while most comets burn up when they get close to a star, this one remained relatively dim as it was traveling way too fast – at 16 miles per second – to be burnt up by the sun’s heat. Now the rock is on its way outwards, it is unlikely to return to our neck of the cosmos ever again. Observations published by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC) believe the comet likely escaped the orbit of another star. READ MORE