Astronomers are tracking a newly spotted comet hailing from parts unknown, only the third time such an interstellar object has been observed visiting our solar system.

Astronomers have discovered a rare instance of a interstellar comet speeding through the solar system. The 3I/ATLAS was first spotted on July 1 by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope.

A comet has entered the Solar System from interstellar space and will pass through the inner planets later this year, NASA says.