Comet 3I/ATLAS might be leaving our solar system, but it continues to surprise researchers. Recently, new observations revealed that its anti-tail—an unusual feature that points toward the sun—stretches up to 620,000 miles (1 million kilometers). As 3I/ATLAS approached the sun, scientists noted that this anti-tail was wiggling every 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Typically, comet tails are pushed away from the sun by solar radiation. However, an anti-tail is rare; it indicates that gas and dust are flowing toward the sun due to the comet’s unique behavior. The source of 3I/ATLAS is exciting because it’s only the third comet recorded to come from another star, following the famous ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.
This new comet is special as it provides a look into the physical characteristics of celestial bodies from other star systems. Researchers uncovered these interesting jets in the comet’s coma after watching it over 37 nights using the Two-meter Twin Telescope at the Teide Observatory in the Canary Islands.
The team published their findings on arXiv, where they explained how they observed the transformation of 3I/ATLAS’s coma. Initially, it appeared as a dust fan, but as it neared the sun, solar radiation influenced its shape, resulting in the developed anti-tail.
After carefully tracking the comet, scientists discovered that the icy nucleus of 3I/ATLAS rotates every 15 hours and 30 minutes—quicker than previous estimates had suggested. The comet made its closest approach to Earth on December 19, coming within about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers).
As it ventures out into deep space, 3I/ATLAS leaves behind valuable data for scientists. This not only enhances our understanding of interstellar objects but also raises more questions—like how many other comets might be out there, influencing their own stellar systems. With research like this, we can appreciate the cosmic wonders as they come and go, leaving lasting impacts on our knowledge of the universe.
For those interested in more about comets and their origins, check out the findings shared by NASA regarding the interstellar watchlist [here](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-astronomers-identify-more-interstellar-objects). Understanding these celestial phenomena can help us learn more about the history and dynamics of our own solar system and beyond.
