The Hubble Space Telescope has made history by observing the third confirmed interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, as it approaches our solar system. This rare visitor from outside our cosmic neighborhood is putting on a show, revealing secrets about objects from space and helping scientists better understand their composition and origin.
As 3I/ATLAS gets closer to the Sun, its activity increases, releasing streams of dust particles that form a tail pointing away from the star. This phenomenon is similar to comets, unlike asteroids which remain largely unchanged during their orbits. By studying this object, researchers can gain insights into material from another star system.
Hubble’s exceptional resolution allowed scientists to estimate how much 3I/ATLAS loses as it heats up, with mass loss rates ranging from 6-60 kg/s depending on the size of dust particles ejected. This is a significant amount for an object so small and distant.
The team led by David Jewitt also worked to determine the size of 3I/ATLAS, which proved challenging due to its inability to directly observe the nucleus. However, by analyzing the brightness distribution of the surrounding coma, they estimated the nucleus to be less than 2.8 kilometers in radius.
The study of interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS provides a unique window into planetary systems around other stars, carrying chemical signatures and physical characteristics shaped by alien environments billions of kilometers away. These findings represent a significant step forward in understanding these cosmic messengers and their origins.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/interstellar-object-3i-atlas-seen-in-stunning-new-hubble-image