An amateur astronomer spots a second interstellar visitor

TYears ago 'Oumuamua, an asteroid from interstellar space, visited the solar system. It was the first body of this type observed, but now a second extraterrestrial object (shown next) is in the line of sight of astronomers. 2I / Borisov is a comet rather than an asteroid. The difference is that, warmed by sunlight, 2I / Borisov has developed a temporary atmosphere called coma. This difference also affects the way it is named. Unlike asteroids, comets are named after their discoverers. The new visitor was first reported by Gennady Borisov, a Russian amateur observer, on 30 August, and was officially appointed on 24 September. His nearest approach to the sun will be on December 7, after which he will disappear into the cosmic ways from where he comes.