Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Cosmic Mystery Unveiled via Telescope Triumphs

New Zealand astronomers have revealed the physical characteristics of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Thanks to a detailed analysis of the celestial body’s acceleration, scientists were able to determine the size of its nucleus and density with high precision. This data will enable more accurate predictions of the object’s future trajectory through the Solar System.

Researchers from the University of Canterbury used a dataset obtained from the James Webb Space Telescope, ALMA observatory, and other instruments. They analyzed how sunlight and heat provoke the evaporation of matter from the comet’s surface as it approaches the star. Gas emissions create thrust, causing additional acceleration, which allowed for the calculation of mass loss and body parameters.

Recent calculations have radically refined the size of the nucleus, whose estimates previously varied from several hundred meters to 5.6 km. It is now established that the diameter of 3I/ATLAS ranges from 820 to 1050 meters. The object’s density (about 0.5 g/cm³) was found to be very close to the measurements of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS system designed to track dangerous asteroids. It is only the third confirmed object to have arrived from interstellar space, following the Oumuamua asteroid (2017) and comet Borisov (2019).

With further studies, astronomers are seeking to uncover more about the composition and origins of such interstellar visitors. Such efforts will enhance our understanding of cosmic evolution and the dynamics involved in cross-stellar travel. The continued observation and analysis by established telescopes may lead to predictions about potential future encounters with other interstellar objects. These insights are crucial for refining our grasp of the universe beyond our Solar System.