2I/Borisov

Designation

2I/Borisov was the second-ever interstellar object detected in our Solar System. It was discovered in August 2019 by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov, using a homemade telescope in Crimea.

2I/Borisov quickly revealed itself as a comet, complete with a glowing coma and tail. At the time of its discovery, it was still inbound toward the Sun and reached its closest approach in December 2019. The comet’s nucleus is estimated to be roughly a kilometer across. 2I/Borisov has now passed beyond the orbit of Neptune and is heading back into interstellar space.

Diameter

1.00km 0.62mi

This object compared to other %category%

Average distance from the Sun

Semi-major axis (a)

Deviation from a circular orbit

Eccentricity (e)

Angle of orbit

Inclination (i)

Orbital elements

When will it be closest to the Sun?

days left

How far is it today?

From the Sun

1.00au

From the Earth