Astronomers have captured an image of comet 3I/ATLAS using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. This rare object, named after its discovery system, is only the third interstellar body detected. The observations will help scientists study the comet’s origin, orbit, and composition.
The comet, about tens to a few kilometers in size, was launched into space from its host star’s planetary system due to gravity from nearby planets and stars. It carries valuable information about the chemical elements present when it formed, providing insight into how planetary systems form at distant stars.
The Gemini North telescope’s high sensitivity and scheduling agility have allowed for critical early characterization of the comet. The observations will be repeated as the comet warms up in sunlight before continuing its journey between the stars.
A new observatory, the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is expected to capture millions of interstellar objects later this year. This telescope will scan the southern hemisphere sky every few nights, capturing an unpredictable number of never-before-seen interstellar bodies and offering scientists a tangible connection to other star systems throughout our galaxy’s history.
Source: https://www.nsf.gov/news/interstellar-comet-3iatlas-observed-nsf-funded-gemini-north