Namaste, space enthusiasts! Let's journey into the cosmos and explore 3I/ATLAS, a comet from beyond our solar system. With advanced telescopes like SPHEREx
and JWST, scientists unravel its secrets. Ready for an astronomical adventure?
Cosmic Wanderer Emerges
3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object, was discovered on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Its journey began 675 million kilometres from the Sun. Unlike our familiar comets, this one comes from the vast expanse beyond our solar system, sparking curiosity and debate among the scientific community.
Telescopes Unveil Secrets
The Hubble Space Telescope captured its sharpest image yet, showing a small nucleus, about 5.5 kilometers in diameter. SPHEREx and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) found a coma rich in carbon dioxide. Water ice and carbon monoxide were also detected. Its spectral signature mirrors those of Kuiper Belt objects, suggesting similar origins.
Alien Tech or Comet?
Some, like Professor Avi Loeb, suggest the object's size (potentially 20 kilometers) and retrograde orbit raise intriguing possibilities of alien origins. The comet's orbital path differs from Earth's by only 5 degrees. Loeb's claims have caused heated discussions among experts. However, NASA has stated the object poses no threat to Earth.
Composition and Journey
3I/ATLAS's path is hyperbolic, setting it apart as interstellar. The comet lacks typical cometary gas features. It's been compared to other interstellar objects - 1I/'Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). This cosmic visitor continues its voyage, offering valuable insights into the universe's mysteries and composition.
