An unusual phenomenon has aroused the curiosity of scientistsastronomy fans and a large number of people. It is about the passage of a mysterious interstellar object that has been passing through space and is known by its name 3I/ATLAS.
In recent days it has generated interest because it is believed that it will change our knowledge of the universe, since it is passing through our solar system and this October 29 has been considered a key date in its journey.
Much has been said about this strange object, which has been described as a comet, although until this term it has been confronted by specialists due to its particular characteristics.
It is estimated that comet 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest approach to the Sun this Wednesday.
Scientists and astronomy enthusiasts have outlined a large number of theories about this object, each one more challenging than the other. It has even been considered that it could have some “intelligence” and it has been questioned whether it is just a comet.
That is why it is important to resolve some questions and define the key points to understand the importance of the phenomenon.
How was it discovered?
NASA has reported that the phenomenon was first seen on July 1 of this year. It was observed by the Asteroid Land Impact Last Alert System, which is located in Chile, and works jointly with the US space agency.
The name of the object, ATLAS, derives from the acronym of the observatory that detected it. Meanwhile, 3I states that we are facing the third object of this nature that has been captured by human technology. NASA indicates that “it is the third object that comes from outside our solar system that has been discovered so far.”
Unlike other comets, it has been observed that it does not move around the Sun. On the contrary, it is called an interstellar object due to the hyperbolic shape of its orbital path.
Furthermore, by recording its trajectory, it has been seen that its origin is not in our solar system. That is, it comes from another part of the universe.
Meanwhile, the size, weight, volume and other data are still being evaluated.
Can it collide with Earth?
According to the US space agency, comet 3I/ATLAS does not represent a threat to Earth.
NASA indicates that it will stay away from our planet, and the closest it will come is around 1.8 astronomical units (about 270 million kilometers).
On the other hand, because 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest point to the Sun around October 29 and 30, it is believed to be at a distance of around 1.4 au (210 million kilometers). This will occur within the orbit of Mars.
Besides…
Other interstellar objects
Interstellar objects have probably always existed, however the ability to detect them is recent. Two have been seen in less than 10 years: ‘Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, was the first known interstellar object; the second was 2I/Borisov, which was discovered in 2019.
Now, this comet called 3I/ATLAS It cannot be seen from Earth because it will pass very close to the Sun. It was in September that it could be seen by scientists. It is expected that new observations can be made in December since it will be on the other side of the Sun.
This is how its origin was determined
One of the points under debate has been the origin of 3I/ATLAS. Some have even argued on social networks that it is an object with a certain “intelligence” due to the change in direction it has presented.
According to NASA, it is an object that formed in another star system and was somehow ejected into interstellar space, which is the space between stars.
It is estimated that it has traveled for millions or even billions of years to enter our solar system.
Specifically, its direction has been traced from the constellation of Sagittarius (the central region of the Milky Way) and when it was discovered it was within the orbit of Jupiter.
One of the points to determine that the object is not from our system is the trajectory. Objects that rotate due to the sun’s gravity follow a hyperbolic trajectory, however it makes a movement that is not determined by the sun, it is simply passing directly.
What are its characteristics?
Specialists estimate that it moves very quickly. When it was discovered, this interstellar comet was traveling at about 221,000 kilometers per hour, or 61 kilometers per second, and its speed will increase as it approaches the Sun.
As for its size, astronomers still don’t know how big 3I/ATLAS is.
On the other hand, its composition also remains an uncertainty. Observations indicate that it is active, meaning it has an icy core and a coma (a bright cloud of gas and dust that surrounds a comet as it approaches the Sun). This last point would be the reason why it is called a comet and not an asteroid.
The types of materials that would not fit with any other body observed have also drawn attention. It is believed to have detected a constant emission of pure nickel without iron, something that does not usually occur in comets in the solar system, and that further increased the mystery.
That is to say, this object that may be older than planet Earth, and that has been roaming the universe, still remains a mystery.