Comet 3I/ATLAS is generating a lot of buzz in the astronomy world. This comet is special; it’s only the third known visitor from outside our solar system. It continues to surprise scientists as it travels through our cosmic neighborhood.
Discovered in July, 3I/ATLAS passed closest to the sun on October 30. During this time, three spacecraft captured stunning images of it. These pictures revealed something curious: the comet brightened rapidly, which is unusual compared to others at similar distances from the sun. According to a new study published on arXiv, scientists noted that 3I/ATLAS appeared “distinctly bluer than the sun,” differing from earlier observations that showed it had red dust. Many media outlets quickly reported that the comet “changed color” for mysterious reasons.
However, Qicheng Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow from the Lowell Observatory, clarified that this is a misunderstanding. He stated, “We don’t have any evidence for the gas coma changing colors.” The brightening observed is likely due to the gases being ejected as the comet warms in the sun’s heat. This gas coma has been around, contributing to the comet’s brightness.
In fact, the comet only appeared to change color initially when its coma became bright. This was noted back in September before it neared the sun. Amateur astronomers even captured photos during this time showing the blue-green coma.
Comets, often termed “dirty snowballs,” have icy cores made of gases, rocks, and dust. As they near the sun, their frozen components turn into gas, creating a glowing halo known as a coma. This halo can form a long tail when solar winds push these gases away. This process makes comets particularly fascinating to study.
There’s been a lot of unnecessary speculation around 3I/ATLAS, including conspiracy theories suggesting it might be an alien spacecraft. While such stories are sensational, the comet itself offers an intriguing glimpse into conditions beyond our solar system. It’s not just exciting for scientists; it catches the interest of skywatchers around the globe. Many telescopes, even modest consumer-grade ones, have captured its images, along with major instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope and others.
As for what’s next, 3I/ATLAS will pass closest to Earth on December 19, coming within 167 million miles (270 million kilometers). As we wait, the comet’s journey reminds us of the wonders of our universe and the stories celestial visitors can tell.
Did you know that each time a comet approaches the sun, it reveals new insights about cosmic conditions? Comets help scientists learn about the early solar system, as their cores carry materials from the time of its formation. This makes 3I/ATLAS not just a spectacle, but a valuable source of information.
