As the comet 3I/ATLAS gets ready for its closest pass to Earth on December 19, it’s creating quite a buzz. This celestial traveler is about to come within 167 million miles of us, and both professional astronomers and the United Nations are keeping tabs on it. Telescopes worldwide are tracking its path to gain insights for future studies of similar objects.
The U.N. has an initiative called the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN). According to James Bauer, a researcher at the University of Maryland, they’re halfway through a campaign to observe 3I/ATLAS and plan to share their findings in a peer-reviewed journal next year. IAWN consists of over 80 observatories and citizen scientists focused on tracking comets and asteroids.
NASA manages IAWN’s observatory schedules. Since 2017, this network has tracked various near-Earth objects. Interestingly, 3I/ATLAS is the first interstellar object they are monitoring. It’s an exciting venture, as the data collected could be used for future missions targeting similar comets.
Bauer explains that this campaign aims to improve astrometry, which is how astronomers calculate the positions of celestial bodies. They’re testing out new techniques while monitoring 3I/ATLAS. This research will help scientists send spacecraft to other comets in the future.
Despite coming from outside our solar system, 3I/ATLAS shows typical comet behavior. It has water and carbon dioxide, acting much like our solar system comets. This makes it not just an interesting find but a particularly relatable one.
Community interest in this comet is impressive. At the kickoff meeting for this campaign, IAWN had a record 171 participants. During a follow-up teleconference, 100 people were present, all keen to learn and engage. Bauer mentions that they receive questions regularly, from how to use tracking tools to which formats are best for reporting observations.
While 3I/ATLAS offers opportunities for research, it also reminds us of the importance of tracking other near-Earth objects. With 171 participants already involved in this campaign, the engagement shows how much people care about understanding our universe.
The study of comets like 3I/ATLAS contributes to our understanding of space, helping scientists prepare better for possible future encounters with other celestial bodies. This knowledge is critical, especially in an age where awareness of potential asteroid threats is increasing. Keeping an eye on the skies may help us stay one step ahead.
For more on the IAWN and its work with near-Earth objects, you can read more here.
