Scientists have issued a chilling update on the interstellar object that is currently hurtling through our solar system.
The enormous comet, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, was first picked up by a NASA telescope on July 1 as it rushed towards the sun at 137,000 miles per hour (221,000 km/h).
Now, a study has revealed that the massive object could have been spotted up to two months earlier.
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), researchers have discovered new images of 3I/ATLAS, which date back to May 7.
In addition to showing that this interstellar visitor could have been discovered much sooner, this early data also reveals some very strange behaviour.
While TESS watched the object between May 7 and June 3, 3I/ATLAS suddenly became five times brighter.
Scientists expect the brightness to increase as it approaches Earth, but the distance travelled in this period would only explain a 1.5 times brightness increase.
The object's abnormally intense brightness has already sparked speculation that it could be an alien craft rather than a comet.
Relax. It's a comet.
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