Interstellar Visitor ‘3i/Atlas‘ Reveals Unusual Chemistry, Offering Clues to Solar System Origins
By Rachel Kim, World-Today-News.com – July 26, 2024
Astronomers are intensely studying a newly discovered interstellar object, dubbed ‘3i/Atlas’, that has captivated the scientific community. Detected in early July, the object initially raised concerns about a potential Earth impact, but NASA has since ruled out any risk. While speculation about its origins – including theories suggesting it could be an extraterrestrial spacecraft - have been dismissed, ‘3i/Atlas’ remains profoundly interesting as only the third interstellar visitor ever observed within our solar system.
The first two interstellar objects detected were ‘Oumuamua and comet Borisov. ‘3i/Atlas’ is considerably larger than either, currently estimated at 5.6 kilometers in diameter – making it the largest interstellar object observed to date (initial estimates placed it at 11km). Its remarkably straight and flat trajectory suggests an ancient origin, potentially forming over 7 million years ago – a staggering 3 billion years before our sun even existed.
James Webb Telescope uncovers Unusual Composition
The real breakthrough came with observations from the James webb Space Telescope. Utilizing its powerful infrared capabilities, Webb analyzed the object’s composition, revealing a surprising anomaly: an exceptionally high proportion of carbon dioxide (CO2) relative to water (H2O). This unusual chemistry, detailed in preliminary findings published on the prepublication server Zenodo, has never been observed in a comet before and could hold vital clues to understanding ‘3i/Atlas’s formation and origins.
Comets typically develop a coma – a cloud of gas and dust – as thay approach a star, caused by the sublimation of ice. Webb’s observations of ‘3i/Atlas’ are prompting scientists to re-evaluate typical cometary behavior.
A Window into Other Solar Systems
‘3i/Atlas’ offers a unique opportunity to study material formed in a wholly different stellar system, under conditions vastly unlike our own. before the object disappears behind the sun in October, scientists are racing to gather as much data as possible. Understanding its composition and structure could provide invaluable insights into the formation of planetary systems beyond our own, and potentially shed light on the very origins of our solar system.Keywords: Interstellar Object, 3i/Atlas, James Webb Space Telescope, Comet, Oumuamua, Borisov, Astronomy, Space Exploration, Solar System, carbon Dioxide, NASA, Zenodo.