NASA has released new images of an intriguing interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. This comet is believed to be older than our solar system, and officials quickly dismissed any claims that it might be an alien spacecraft.
Discovered in July by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, 3I/ATLAS is on an unexpected path, suggesting it’s coming from a far-off region of space. Nicola Fox from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate described it as “our friendly solar system visitor.” She noted that scientists haven’t found any evidence, like technosignatures, that might imply it’s anything other than a comet.
3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object identified in our solar system. The first two were 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. Comets are made up of a mix of rock and ice. They develop tails of gas and dust when they approach the sun.
During a recent briefing, NASA’s Amit Kshatriya reassured the public: “This object is a comet. It behaves like a comet.” He emphasized NASA’s efforts to find signs of life beyond Earth, referencing a recent study by the Perseverance rover that found possible indications of ancient microbial life on Mars.
3I/ATLAS is not a threat to Earth, as it will come no closer than about 170 million miles.
NASA utilized over a dozen platforms for their research on 3I/ATLAS, including the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, as well as satellites orbiting Mars. The latest images show a blurry appearance, with a distinguishable coma and a tail. These images were delayed but provide vital insight.
Tom Statler from NASA estimated the comet’s nucleus could measure between a couple of thousand feet to a couple of miles wide, and it appears nearly round. While its exact origin is still unknown, it’s thought to come from a solar system that may be older and structurally different from ours.
Chris Lintott, an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, shared findings about 3I/ATLAS’s composition. He mentioned it contains common comet elements like carbon dioxide and water, along with some unexpected nickel. He firmly rejected the idea of it being an alien spacecraft, calling such notions “nonsense.”
As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey through our solar system, approaching the sun this October, interest in its origins and characteristics is only increasing among astronomers worldwide. The study of interstellar objects not only deepens our understanding of space but also piques our curiosity about what lies beyond our familiar solar system.
For more information on NASA’s mission to explore interstellar objects, you can visit NASA’s official site.
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