What's Happening?
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, providing astronomers with a unique opportunity to study a rare interstellar object. Detected on July 1 by NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescopes, the comet is traveling
through the solar system from interstellar space. At its closest, it will pass approximately 168 million miles from Earth, posing no threat. The comet's size is estimated to be between 440 meters and 3.47 miles wide. As it moves away from the Sun, it will become dimmer, making observations more challenging.
Why It's Important?
The flyby of 3I/ATLAS is significant as it is only the third confirmed interstellar object observed in the solar system, following 1I/‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Studying such objects provides valuable insights into the composition and behavior of celestial bodies from outside our solar system. This event allows astronomers to gather data that could enhance understanding of the formation and evolution of comets and other interstellar objects. The observations could also contribute to broader astronomical research and the search for life beyond Earth.
What's Next?
Following its Earth flyby, 3I/ATLAS will pass close to Jupiter in March, coming within 33 million miles of the planet. It will then continue its journey out of the solar system, expected to exit by the mid-2030s. In the meantime, astronomers will focus on collecting as much data as possible using various observatories worldwide. The information gathered will be crucial for future studies of interstellar objects and may inform the development of new astronomical models and theories.
