The alien wanderer, first confirmed by NASA in early July, is now racing toward its perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, on October 29. Scientists say the rare object, made up of ancient ice and dust, could soon erupt into a spectacular display of gas and light as solar radiation intensifies its transformation, as per a report by Live Science.
3I/ATLAS: A rare interstellar visitor
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is no ordinary comet. It is believed to have originated from a distant, unknown star system far beyond our own, making it only the third interstellar object ever recorded after ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
What makes 3I/ATLAS extraordinary, according to astronomers, is its scale and speed. It is the largest, fastest-moving, and possibly the oldest interstellar object ever observed. By studying it, scientists hope to uncover vital clues about the chemical makeup of other planetary systems in the Milky Way.
The comet’s trajectory through our solar system has been closely monitored since its discovery. It is currently moving toward the Sun and will soon begin its months-long exit from our cosmic neighborhood, a farewell that may offer unprecedented opportunities for observation.
3I/ATLAS Interstellar object: A stunning snapshot from Chile
A breathtaking image of 3I/ATLAS was captured on August 27 by the Gemini South telescope in Chile. The image, released by the National Science Foundation, reveals a glowing, ethereal plume of gas and dust surrounding the comet’s nucleus.
As the comet nears the Sun, solar radiation heats the icy surface, triggering jets of vapor and particles that form a luminous coma, a halo-like cloud around its core. The relentless solar wind then pushes this material into a long, radiant tail that always points away from the Sun.According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS will pass within 1.4 astronomical units (about 210 million kilometers) of the Sun at perihelion. During this phase, it is expected to emit gas and dust at an accelerated rate, creating a potentially brighter and more prominent display when it becomes visible again in early November, as per a report by Live Science.
3I/ATLAS Interstellar object: A global scientific opportunity
Astronomical instruments across the world, from ground-based telescopes to orbiting observatories, are preparing to capture fresh data as the comet swings back into view. Even spacecraft en route to Jupiter are expected to observe the interstellar traveler as it moves away from the inner solar system.
Experts believe that 3I/ATLAS could help scientists better understand the conditions of interstellar space and the formation of distant planetary systems. “Every interstellar object offers a direct sample of material from beyond our solar system. It’s like receiving a message in a bottle from another star,” said an astronomer involved with NASA’s observation programme.
While the comet will eventually disappear into the vastness of space, the data gathered during its brief visit may hold vital clues about the galaxy’s evolution.
FAQs
What is Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS?
It is the third interstellar object ever detected in our solar system, a comet-like body made of ancient ice and dust that originated from a distant star system.
When will 3I/ATLAS reach its closest point to the Sun?
The object will reach perihelion on October 29, 2025, coming within 1.4 astronomical units (about 130 million miles) of the Sun.