For the past four months, social media has captivated skywatchers and space enthusiasts, drawing attention to a comet spotted in July, now known as 3I/Atlas. This interstellar visitor is believed to have originated from a disk surrounding another star, according to Levent Gurdemir, an astrophysicist at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Gurdemir describes 3I/Atlas as a comet originating from outside our solar system. The object was identified by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Chile on July 1, while additional observations date back to June 14. Its designation as “3I” signifies it as the third known interstellar object recorded, with “ATLAS” referring to its discovery system.
The excitement surrounding 3I/Atlas intensified in September when it became apparent that it had not come close enough to the Sun to develop a visible tail. Dr. Avi Loeb, a professor at Harvard University and a leading figure in tracking this comet, emphasizes the importance of gathering detailed information about such celestial visitors. He suggests that learning about them is crucial, particularly in understanding the mysteries of the universe.
Loeb often discusses 3I/Atlas on his Medium platform, bringing a mix of scientific curiosity and caution regarding the potential existence of alien life. He notes that while we often consider existential threats, discussions about extraterrestrial technology are less common. His advice is to remain observant rather than jumping to conclusions.
As 3I/Atlas made its closest approach to Mars in October, it began to move toward the Sun this month, allowing scientists to observe a developing tail. Currently, this object, measuring approximately 3.5 miles across and traveling at a remarkable speed of 137,000 miles per hour, is anticipated to fly by Earth on or around December 19, just 170 million miles away—an impressive distance that poses no threat to our planet.
Gurdemir reassures observers that 3I/Atlas will pass on the opposite side of Earth, approximately twice the distance between Earth and the Sun. He encourages public interest in celestial events, likening the 3I/Atlas to previous interstellar visitors such as 1I Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I Borisov in 2019.
The director of the Planetarium at UTA, Gurdemir also expresses his optimism about the interest in space exploration. He cautions against sensationalized theories regarding alien life forms, asserting that 3I/Atlas is simply a comet, much like its predecessors.
As the comet nears the end of its journey through our solar system, astronomers anticipate capturing stunning images of its diminishing tail in March. Such discoveries not only enhance our knowledge of the cosmos but also ignite a sense of wonder and exploration, reminding us of our place in the universe.