Comet 3I/ATLAS is not only the third known interstellar traveler, but its study can provide astronomers with clues about the origin of matter in the galaxy, and they say that Comet Atlas comes from a place where our Sun is just one of millions of points of light in it; Among the stars that may have once formed another system.
According to IsnaThroughout the history of astronomy, objects that enter our solar system from interstellar space have always attracted the attention of scientists and sky enthusiasts. One of the most recent and controversial of these galactic travelers is comet 3I/ATLAS; The third known interstellar object that has ever passed close to Earth.
This comet, which was first discovered by the ATLAS Automated Observing System, has an open and hyperbolic path, unlike normal comets in the Solar System, and passes close to the Sun only once before returning to interstellar space. Its unique features, including its extremely high speed, unusual chemical composition and high ratio of carbon dioxide to water in its halo, have led scientists to investigate its origin and conditions of formation in cold regions far away from stars.
This object not only provides valuable information about the processes of planet formation and the evolution of objects in other systems, but also provides a unique opportunity to test observational technologies and scientific analysis in time-limited conditions. At the same time, observational limitations and its dimness have made its detailed study face serious challenges.
In this interview, Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Matiei, a member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society, explains about the scientific features, research importance and observational challenges of comet 3I/ATLAS, the ratio of CO₂ to water, the possible age of more than 7 billion years and the golden opportunities of interstellar studies and offers a new look at the secrets of this galactic traveler.
Why do we call 3I/ATLAS “interstellar”?
Mohammad Mahdi Matiei, Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics and a member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society, in an interview with ISNA. He stated: The term “interstellar” refers to a body whose origin is outside the solar system, and unlike the bodies of our system, it does not have a closed orbit that can periodically rotate around it under the influence of the sun’s gravity. Such mass can escape from the Sun’s gravitational field and pass through the solar system only transiently.
He added: The initial observation of this comet was carried out by the “Earth Collision Final Warning System” or ATLAS, which is an automatic observation project and is designed to find near-Earth objects with extensive imaging of the sky.
Matiei stated: After the initial report, many observatories and telescopes followed it up to obtain a set of more detailed observations in a sufficient time frame. After initial analysis, related organizations registered and named it as an interstellar object.
A member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society pointed out: the prefix I is used for interstellar objects and the number 3 indicates that this is the third interstellar object discovered so far.
He emphasized: the hyperbolic path of this comet, which indicates an open movement without returning to the space of the solar system, along with its high speed – which does not match the usual speeds of objects in the solar system – are among the features that distinguish this object from other comets or asteroids in the solar system.
The most important data collected from 3I/ATLAS
He added: The most important data obtained so far from 3I/ATLAS is based on spectroscopy and photometry in the visible and near-infrared light ranges, which shows that this object is probably an interstellar object with unusual surface properties (combination of comet and asteroid properties).
Emphasizing that the speed and interstellar path of this comet have been confirmed by using these data, Matiei added: its approximate size in the range of several hundred meters to several kilometers and limited evidence for cometary activity (dust) and its surface chemical compositions, which have differences with some asteroids and comets of the solar system, have also been determined. But in general, it is not yet clear whether this object is an active comet or more like a relatively neutral interstellar asteroid.
This astrophysics researcher considered the high ratio of CO₂ to water in its halo as one of the interesting data of this planet and explained about this: the high ratio of CO₂ to H₂O in the halo (coma) of an interstellar object like 3I/ATLAS provides useful and valuable information about its origin and environmental conditions in the region where it was formed. The high ratio of CO₂ to water indicates the relative abundance of carbonated ices or CO₂-rich materials compared to water ice in the released fugitive shell of this comet, which can have several causes:
* First, this object was formed in the colder and farthest region from the mother star.
* The second is the existence of a structure in which CO₂ is released more easily.
* Thirdly, it is possible that the environment in which this object was formed was very cold or the radiation mechanisms in that environment caused the composition of the surface to change.
Matiei added: In general, if the object was formed in a cold region far away from the mother star, it is expected that CO and CO₂ ices will be preserved more than water.
He stated: On the other hand, a long-term placement in the interstellar medium or, for example, a close pass by a star that may have intense radiation, can remove the comet’s upper layer, which is rich in water, but carbon dioxide can leave the surface, which results in a relative increase of CO₂ in the halo.
Estimates made from the comet
Matiei noted: Estimates indicate that it may be older than our solar system, and what this could mean, this researcher in the field of astrophysics states that astronomers have estimated the size of the nucleus of this comet using data collected from space telescopes such as Hubble. These estimates also allow them to calculate the comet’s age. According to these calculations, the age of this object is more than 7 billion years, which is more than the age of the solar system (about 4.6 billion years).
The member of the board of directors of the amateur committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society continued: This shows that this comet is one of the oldest known objects that is currently in the solar system and can provide scientists with valuable information about the formation of the solar system. But proving this requires a combination of precise spectroscopy, chemical analysis, material modeling, and other methods.
He added: For example, if the abundance of elements or their isotopic ratios indicates an older generation of interstellar gas, it indicates that its origin is related to a generation of previous stars. Combined molecular spectroscopy and checking chemical frequencies as well as observation in different wavelengths using different telescopes can be helpful in this regard.
According to this researcher in the field of astrophysics, it is not possible to determine the age directly by radiometric methods for a distant comet, so it is not possible to estimate the age by direct methods like what is done on Earth.
The path of a comet older than the galaxy
A member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society stated that the path of this comet is not a closed path with a period like an ellipse, and stated: its orbital energy is positive and the path of the comet is hyperbolic. The direction and speed of its entry into the solar system indicate that this object came from the interstellar space and passed near the Sun only once and then re-entered the interstellar space.
Matiei noted: Observations have shown that the angle of its orbit with the ecliptic (the path of the earth’s movement around the sun) is high. This high slope is consistent with an interstellar origin, as near-zero to small slopes would normally be expected if it had come from the protoplanetary disc of a rotating system.
He emphasized: The entry speed of this mass relative to the sun is about 61 km/s, which is equal to about 219 thousand km/h. From a scientific point of view, the passage of such an object is very valuable, but there is practically no possibility that it will have destructive effects or great effects on the planets of the solar system.
According to him, only by studying it can we obtain information about the formation processes of planets in other systems, the irregular shape of this mass and its rotation speed. Also, by measuring the volatile elements and evaporation rate, a correct understanding of the resistance of materials in other stellar conditions can be obtained. In general, this object will not be a threat to the earth or the solar system.
A member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society added: By using various terrestrial and space telescopes in different wavelengths, this comet can be observed and valuable information can be obtained from it. For example, one of the best opportunities to extract the most information would be to combine visible, infrared and radio data from simultaneous observations using the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA.
Doubts about the origin of Comet Atlas
In response to the question of whether any strange or unexpected features have been observed in 3I/ATLAS that would raise doubts about its natural origin, the member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society said: As far as the published observations and analyzes of the astronomical society show, no “strange” feature has been reported for 3I/ATLAS, which requires us to consider the unnatural (artificial or supernatural) origin seriously. Spectral, imaging, and photometric observations performed indicate properties consistent with a comet or natural small body, cometary activity (if present), familiar compositions, and light curves that can be explained by rotation and shape.
He added: “There has been no conclusive evidence of behavior such as sending radio messages, unexplained movement patterns, or obvious artificial structure.”
Matiei reminded: the study of interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS is very important from a research point of view; Because these objects directly provide real samples of matter produced elsewhere in our galaxy. For example, the investigation of the processes of planet formation in other systems, the structural and evolutionary diversity of small objects, the testing of the theories of the exit of objects from the systems and stellar dynamics, the understanding of the organic composition and prebiotics at the surface of the galaxy, the investigation of the interactions of interstellar matter with the environment of the solar system, the origin and abundance of interstellar objects, the similarity or difference in the chemical composition of the planets, and other such things can be obtained from the study of such objects.
Submissive in answering this question Is it possible that these types of objects will be discovered more in the near future? Do we have the necessary observational preparation and technology? He said: Yes. The probability of discovering more interstellar objects in the near future is significantly high. Increasing observation capabilities (especially observatories with a wide field of view and higher sensitivity) increases the rate of discovery of these objects. From a technological and observational point of view, we have significant achievements, but there are still challenges and shortcomings for maximum exploitation. New generation telescopes with larger cameras and real-time processing are able to find faint and transient objects faster and in greater numbers. Also, improvements in data processing and motion detection algorithms, machine learning to separate transient sources from noise, and automatic notification networks make it possible to detect and track such objects faster.
In response to the question of whether the passage of such an object through the solar system is likely to be considered a “warning” or a test for planetary defense?, Matiei said: It is unlikely that the passage of interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS by itself will be considered as a “warning” or an urgent test of planetary defense. These objects are usually small and the probability of them hitting the earth is very low. However, from the perspective of providing planetary defense capabilities and global preparedness, the transit of such objects is a valuable opportunity to practice observation, tracking, path estimation, and testing decision-making processes.
Challenges in interstellar studies
A member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society, stating that in the study of interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS, there are several technical and practical challenges that make observation and analysis difficult, he considered these challenges to include the following:
* Short schedule
* Dimness
* Route geometry
* The limitations of allocating observation time in large telescopes as well as other technical limitations.
He added: Most of these problems can be reduced with a combination of new observation tools in telescopes such as James Webb and other telescopes in different wavelength ranges; But some limitations are still challenging. For example, many interstellar objects are discovered when they are in rapid transit or near their orbital perigee.
A member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Committee of the Iranian Astronomical Society said: The time that can be used for accurate follow-up and mission decision-making is short, and the opportunity for high-quality spectroscopy, repeated observations to investigate the optical changes of the object, and accurate calculation of orbital parameters is very short. Also, there is practically no design and launch of a spacecraft to meet these objects directly.
Referring to a question about the existence of new data on the surface composition or internal structure of these objects, he added: These data will usually be available on reliable scientific sites or databases related to telescopes and reliable observatories of the world, after preliminary investigations and extraction of scientific results.
Matiei stated: Among others, we can mention the results of optical and infrared spectroscopy, absorption and molecular radiation lines and bands of organic compounds, investigation of water ice, carbon monoxide and dioxide and methane as well as other minerals such as silicates and carbons. Also, the detection of ices and the tracking of complex organic molecules, the detection of molecular lines of the comet’s parent gas and the emission of fine dust, photometry and determination of the exact shape, effective diameter, rotation and surface inhomogeneities, checking the existence of a hollow or mass structure, measuring the comet reflection and the characteristics of the polarization of the reflected light – which can provide information about the texture of the object’s surface such as roughness, the size of dust particles and existing compounds – are among the other axes of the case. are reviewed.
He pointed out: Thermal observations are very important for estimating the surface temperature and measuring thermal emission, which helps to estimate the density and internal structure of the object. Also, radar observations and high-resolution surface imaging, investigating the increase or decrease in speed and the rate of mass loss will also be among the valuable scientific achievements of accurate observations in the near future.
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