A recent discovery of an interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, has sparked excitement among astronomers. Here’s what they know about this unusual visitor from beyond our solar system.
3I/ATLAS is a small, icy body hurtling through space at 60 km/s, making it the fastest thing to pass through our solar system. Its composition is quite different from that of comets in our own solar system, with an abundance of carbon dioxide and other gases. While it initially appeared as an asteroid, observations have shown that it exhibits characteristics typical of a comet.
Astronomers believe 3I/ATLAS might be the oldest thing to pass through our solar system due to its exceptional speed. However, its exact shape is still unknown due to its dusty coma.
The discovery of 3I/ATLAS brings hopes for increased detection and study of interstellar objects. Recent calculations suggest that there could be many more visitors from beyond our solar system in the future. The Vera C. Rubin telescope’s ability to scan the entire sky regularly may lead to more discoveries and a better understanding of these enigmatic visitors.
As 3I/ATLAS hurtles closer to Mars, it will pass by Earth, allowing scientists to study it for about a year. Its flyby of Mars in October will provide unprecedented resolution with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s cameras, offering insights into this mysterious interstellar object.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/3i-atlas-comet-what-we-know-1.7632397