Cometa 3i/Atlas is the third of these rare visitors that offers scientists A rare opportunity to study something outside our solar system.
UM new object coming from interstellar space is entering our solar system. It is only the third ever detected, and although it is not dangerous to Earth, it is approaching – and may be the largest extrasolar visitor ever.
A This Wednesday the discovery of a new interstellar object that will go through our solar system. It does not represent any threat to Earth, but will pass relatively close: within the orbit of Mars.
It is only Third Interstellar Object ever detected by humanity. And this, besides being moving faster than the previous ones, may be the largest.
A glow coming from Sagittarius
On July 1, the Atlas Telescope (Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System), installed in Rio Hurtado, Chile, recorded an unusual shine from the direction of the Sagittarius constellation.
The comet was officially designated 3i/atlas – “3i” brand that it is about Third Interstellar Object Detected (following the oumuamua, in 2017, and 2i/borisov, in 2019).
As soon as it was identified, astronomers from around the world began to recover old images to know how long this visitor had been here, unnoticed.
These “pre-discovered” observations from various Atlas Telescopes and Palomar Observatory (California) retreat until June 14. Since then, the comet has been closely followed by a global network of telescopes.
Near, but at a safe distance
Currently, 3i/Atlas is about 670 million kilometers of the sun – that is, approximately 4.5 Astronomical Units (UA). Will not approach more than 1,4 do (about 210 million km), which will put it inside the orbit of Mars, around October 30.
Despite the approach, it does not represent any danger. But raises many questions.
The largest Visitor from the stars?
Current estimates suggest that the comet may have between 10 and 20 kilometers wideAFP told Richard Moissl, responsible for the planetary defense of the European space agency. If these numbers are confirmed, it will be the largest interstellar object detected.
However, the actual size depends on its composition: if it is made of ice, it may be smaller than it seems – since the ice reflects more light, increasing its shine.
Until September, 3i/Atlas will remain visible through telescopes. After that, it will be too close to the sun to be observed. Should reappear In early Decemberarising from the other side of our star which will allow new observations.
Moissl anticipates that “It will be brighter and closer to the sun until the end of October, and then it can still be observed until next year.”
How many more are there?
Mark Norris, astronomer at the University of Lancashire Central (United Kingdom), told AFP that 3i/atlas seems to move much faster than the previous two Extrasollar visitors.
According to recent models, There may be up to 10,000 intersthellar objects crossing the solar system at a given moment. Most are too small to detect, but this may change soon, with the entry into operation of the Vera C. Rubin Observatoryalso in Chile.
Messengers from other worlds
Each of these rare visitors offers scientists A rare opportunity to study something outside our solar system.
“If we found life precursors, such as amino acids, in one of these objects, it would give us much more confidence than Conditions for life are repeated in other corners of the galaxy“Celebrate Norris.
