The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is about to reach perihelion, its closest point to the sun, on October 30. During this time, it will be approximately 125 million miles away. This event is significant because comets become more active as they approach the sun.
As 3I/ATLAS comes nearer, its surface will warm up. This causes ices to turn into gas, creating a bright cloud around the comet called a coma. It will also develop two tails: one made of dust and another of charged particles from the solar wind. This makes the comet particularly bright and visible, especially at perihelion.
However, there’s a catch. Since 3I/ATLAS is currently behind the sun, it has gone dark to observers on Earth. We won’t see it again until late November or early December. While ground-based telescopes miss this close encounter, several spacecraft, including those on Mars, have a clear view and will be tracking it.
Mars missions recently had a great vantage point during 3I/ATLAS’s closest approach to the red planet on October 3, when it came within 17.6 million miles. Other spacecraft like NASA’s Psyche and Lucy missions will also observe it at perihelion. The European Space Agency’s JUICE mission, though currently limited in data transmission due to protective measures, will also keep an eye out.
Scientists are keen to study the gases and dust released by 3I/ATLAS at perihelion. Previous findings show it has more carbon dioxide and nickel than typical solar system comets. This hints at the comet’s origins in a molecular cloud over seven billion years ago, giving insight into both its home system and ours.
Interestingly, comets can be unpredictable. When 3I/ATLAS reappears, it might still be very active, but it may also be faint, potentially visible only through advanced telescopes or imaging equipment.
As we eagerly await this stellar spectacle, it’s worth noting that the study of comets like 3I/ATLAS enables scientists to unravel the mysteries of our solar system’s formation and the chemistry of distant celestial bodies. For further insights into the fascinating world of comets, you can check out Space.com.
