The first interstellar comet to be tracked by astronomers as it hurtles through the solar system is unremarkable in every way apart from where it comes from, researchers have said. Scientists reached the conclusion after observing 2I/Borisov with two of the most powerful telescopes on Earth. They decided that it looked like any other comet except that it came from beyond the solar system and would soon leave for good.

The unusual body was spotted in August by a Crimean amateur astronomer, Gennady Borisov. It was swiftly identified as an outcast from another star system and may have been wandering the Milky Way for millions if not billions of years.

“This is the first comet known to science that arrived from outside the solar system, and it is completely similar to those we see inside the solar system,” said Michal Drahus, an astronomer at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.

The team, led by Piotr Guzik, gathered images of the comet after receiving an alert from a computer system that detects cosmic interlopers. Unlike comets and asteroids that formed in the solar system, the arrivals are on trajectories that do not swing around the sun. (The Guardian)…[+]

Residents in Forth Worth, Texas, have held a protest outside the home of a black woman who was shot dead by police through her bedroom window. A vigil became a demonstration as residents demanded justice for Atatiana Jefferson, 28, who was killed by a white officer.

A neighbour had called a non-emergency police number after growing concerned that her front door was open at night. Body cam footage shows an officer shooting within seconds of seeing her. In a statement, the Fort Worth Police Department said that the officer had “perceived a threat” when he drew his weapon. He has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Participants in Sunday’s protest marched in front of Jefferson’s house, holding candles and chanting: “No justice, no peace.” Many called for the officer to be fired and criminally prosecuted.

“State sanctioned violence has always been a culture for black people,” said protester Michelle Andersen, at Sunday’s gathering. “It’s not about a training issue.”

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price was present at the vigil, but left after she was approached by protesters shouting “lock him up”, in reference to the unidentified officer, CBS News reported.(BBC)…[+]

Five persons were arrested during an intelligence-led operation in several East Coast Demerara (ECD) villages that unearthed an unlicensed gun and a quantity of drugs yesterday. Between 6 am and 8 am yesterday, ranks from the Region Four, ECD police division conducted several cordon and search operations at Vryheid’s Lust, Montrose, Nabaclis and Plaisance, ECD, police said.

During the operations, the ranks unearthed an unlicensed pistol with a live matching round, 300 grammes of suspected cocaine and 45 grammes of suspected cannabis. As a result, two females and three males have been detained and are currently assisting with investigations, the police said.(stabroeknews)…[+]