Comet 'Most Pristine' Object From Outer Space Seen In Solar System

Pristine, in astronomical terms, describes a comet that has never passed close enough to a star to be transformed by its searing heat.

A newly observed interstellar comet is the most pristine visitor from outer space ever seen in our Solar System, according to a pair of studies released Tuesday detailing its unique characteristics. Pristine, in astronomical terms, describes a comet that has never passed close enough to a star to be transformed by its searing heat. 2I/Borisov was discovered in 2019 by Ukrainian astrophysicist Gennady Borisov at the MARGO Observatory in Crimea and is only the second interstellar object detected in our planetary system. The first -- the asteroid known as Oumaumua, which roughly means "Scout" in the Hawaiian language -- baffled scientists for its unprecedented properties.