Nasa is set to hold a press conference this evening in relation to the mysterious object feared to be an alien space craft as it flies through space at mega speed
The true identity of the mystery object feared to be an alien spacecraft as it hurtles through space could be revealed today when Nasa finally breaks its silence. The space agency promises to unveil new images of 3I/Atlas at 8pm GMT.
Boffins have called a press conference to share photos taken by its various spacecraft and telescopes, which have yet to be seen publicly despite feverish interest due to the US government’s shutdown.
The make-up of the interstellar visitor has left boffins baffled for months. Some experts claim it is a comet, but theoretical physicist Avi Loeb has suggested it could be an alien “mothership” on a reconnaissance mission as it blasts through the Solar System at 130,000mph.
Even SpaceX chief Elon Musk has conceded it could be of alien origin and urged space chiefs to continue to monitor its approach to make sure we know where it is going.
Nasa’s associate administrator Amit Kshatriya, science mission directorate associate administrator Nicky Fox, Astrophysics Division acting director Shawn Domagal-Goldman and lead scientist for solar system small bodies Tom Statler will speak at the briefing.
A spokesman said: “Assets within NASA’s science missions give the United States the unique capability to observe 3I/ATLAS almost the entire time it passes through our celestial neighborhood, and study – with complementary scientific instruments and from different directions – how the comet behaves. These assets include both spacecraft across the solar system, as well as ground-based observatories.”
Members of the public also may ask questions, which may be answered in real time during the broadcast, by using #AskNASA on social media. The event will air on NASA+, the NASA app, the agency’s website and YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime.
Prof Loeb last week urged Nasa to release photos taken by its telescopes 40 days ago but have not yet been seen due to the US government shutdown.
During the shutdown – between October 1 and November 12 – the majority of NASA’s staff were placed on furlough, and the agency was prevented from communicating with the public.
Since being confirmed as an interstellar object in early June, scientists have been using the world’s best telescopes to gather data on the comet 3I/ATLAS. The comet has now just returned into Earth’s view after making a slingshot around the sun.
Dozens of observatories will be keeping a close eye on the comet as it approaches its closest pass of Earth next month at a distance of 170 million miles (273 million kilometres).
Early next year, the comet will also pass close enough to Jupiter for spacecraft near the planet to make final observations before it leaves our solar system.
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