A foreign asteroid / comet rushed into the territory of our system with great acceleration, allowing scientists to examine an interesting object for the first time. This is a rare event, which managed to capture the 3.5-meter telescope WIYN on Kit Peak (Arizona).
Before you an asteroid or comet, arrived from another system. Reported on October 27 by the WIYN 3.5 mm telescope
1I / 2017 U1 is shaped like a cigar, extending 180 meters and 30 meters. It was first observed on October 19 by scientists at the University of Hawaii. The stranger broke into our space at a speed of 40,000 miles per hour. Indicators of acceleration and orbital paths did not fit into objects known to us, which made it possible to assume the origin from another system.
1I / 2017 U1 passed into the solar system above the ecliptic and is now returning to interstellar space. The WIYN telescope carried out a detailed review in October and confirmed that the object arrived to us from another system. But it is interesting that according to the characteristics it resembles our asteroids and comets. Because of its tiny size and speed of movement, even a large WIYN cannot achieve the required increase.
Surveys did not reveal a coma, but this does not mean that it is possible to exclude the variant with a comet. Therefore, the exact nature of the wanderer is still being tested.
WIYN telescope building against sunset with interior lighting
Observations showed elongated shape and period of axial rotation at 8 o'clock. For an earth observer, an asteroid / comet is viewed from the side. Also has a reddish color and low albedo, which means there is no ice cover.
