3I/ATLAS on its way to Earth again
Comet 3I/ATLAS is making headlines again as it moves closer to Earth. The interstellar comet will make its closest approach on December 19. Astronomers are closely observing its path and activity. NASA confirmed that the comet poses no threat to Earth.
The comet has sparked debate after some experts suggested it may have broken apart or could even be of artificial origin. However, recent observations show that it remains intact and behaves like a natural comet.
3I/ATLAS latest observations and claims
On November 10, reports suggested that 3I/ATLAS may have fragmented after reappearing from behind the Sun. The claim came from a blog post by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who analyzed new telescope images from Spain. Loeb said the comet lost a large portion of its mass.
However, astronomer Qicheng Zhang from the Lowell Observatory said that all images so far show a stable comet. “There is no sign that the nucleus broke apart,” he said.
The comet passed its perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, on October 29. Since then, it has become visible to telescopes in the Northern Hemisphere.
The science behind 3I/ATLAS activity
As 3I/ATLAS moves near the Sun, the surface heats up. Ice turns to gas, creating a bright coma and sometimes a long tail. Solar radiation makes these features more visible. Amateur astronomers can observe the comet using small telescopes. Scientists hope these observations will reveal more about its composition.
3I/ATLAS is believed to be over 7 billion years old and originated outside the solar system. It is only the third known interstellar visitor, following Oumuamua and Borisov.
What experts are debating?
Avi Loeb speculated that the comet’s acceleration and blue colour might be signs of artificial technology. But most astronomers disagree, saying the observations match natural comet behaviour.
Jason Wright from Penn State University criticized Loeb’s analysis, calling it a misinterpretation of the data. “There are no indications that 3I/ATLAS is an alien spacecraft,” he wrote in his blog.
NASA navigation engineer Davide Farnocchia said the comet’s “non-gravitational acceleration” is due to gas and dust being expelled as it approaches the Sun.
3I/ATLAS shows unusual motion and colour
NASA observed that 3I/ATLAS increased its speed to about 244,600 kilometres per hour. The acceleration cannot be explained by gravity alone. Loeb said it could be due to gas jets from the comet’s surface.
As it got closer to the Sun, the comet changed colour, turning bluer. Zhang said this was likely due to ionised gases like carbon monoxide. He added that the comet appeared to change colour only once when its gas coma first became visible.
3I/ATLAS’s tail disappearance
Astronomers were surprised when new images showed that 3I/ATLAS had lost its tail after passing near the Sun. Normally, solar heat makes comets release bright tails of gas and dust. Loeb estimated that about 13 percent of its mass should have formed a tail, but none was visible.
NASA and ESA will continue to monitor the comet as it travels toward Jupiter in March 2026.
3I/ATLAS origin and naming
The name “3I/ATLAS” comes from the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) team in Chile, which discovered it on July 1. The “I” represents its interstellar nature, while the number “3” means it is the third known interstellar object.
Astronomers are studying 3I/ATLAS to understand how material from other star systems travels through space. It provides valuable data about the chemical composition of early planetary systems.
What lies ahead with 3I/ATLAS
As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey, scientists are preparing for more observations in November and December. Any mass loss or colour changes will help them confirm its composition and origin.
Despite ongoing debates, experts agree that the comet is a natural object and poses no danger to Earth.
FAQs
Q1: Is comet 3I/ATLAS dangerous to Earth?
No, NASA confirmed that 3I/ATLAS poses no risk to humans or Earth. It will pass safely at a distance of 269 million kilometres on December 19.
Q2: Why has comet 3I/ATLAS turned blue?
The blue colour likely comes from ionised gases like carbon monoxide reacting to sunlight, not from artificial causes or engines as some have speculated.
Source link
