Key Highlights
- A new image from the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii shows Comet 3I/ATLAS blasting a jet towards the sun.
- The comet is behaving like typical comets within our solar system as it warms up and releases material into space.
- This interstellar comet will come within 1.8 astronomical units of Earth, making it visible in small telescopes before disappearing again into the dark.
Comet Jetting Towards Sun: A Firsthand Look from Gemini North Telescope
A recent image captured by the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii provides a clear view of Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor currently zipping through our solar system. The composite image, produced by combining data from multiple exposures, reveals the comet’s active nucleus and a vibrant jet of ice and dust erupting towards the sun.
The comet, first discovered in August 2019, has been a subject of intense scrutiny since its arrival in early 2023. Comet 3I/ATLAS is one of only three known interstellar objects to have entered our solar system, making it a unique opportunity for astronomers to study extragalactic phenomena.
Dramatic Jet Eruptions
According to Miquel Serra-Ricart, an astrophysicist and chief science officer at the Light Bridges private research institution, which co-manages Teide Observatory in Tenerife, these jets are a common occurrence. “This is the usual,” stated Serra-Ricart via email to LiveScience. The jet observed from 3I/ATLAS can be traced back as far as 6,200 miles (10,000 km) from its surface, more than twice the equivalent distance across the largest part of the United States. This suggests a significant amount of material is being expelled from the comet’s core.
The jet is marked in purple on the image and is blasting towards the direction of the sun, typical behavior for comets in our solar system as they warm up due to proximity to the star. The areas facing the sun heat up fastest, causing sublimated gases under the surface to burst through weak spots, creating these sun-facing jets.
Approaching Closest Point
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is rapidly hurtling towards the sun for its closest approach on October 30, 2023. At that point, it will come within 1.8 astronomical units (sun-Earth distances) of Earth, making it visible in small telescopes before disappearing again into the vastness of space.
Earlier observations have shown that Comet 3I/ATLAS is wrapped in a fog of carbon dioxide and dust particles. These findings are corroborated by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which observed similar behavior during its August 2023 scans of the comet.
Scientific Milestone
The new image from the Gemini North telescope represents not just an exciting visual but also a scientific milestone. It provides astronomers with unprecedented insights into how interstellar comets behave and interact within our solar system. “This image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder,” noted Serra-Ricart in his email to LiveScience.
As Comet 3I/ATLAS continues its journey through the inner solar system, it will be closely monitored by various space probes and telescopes. Scientists hope that further observations will reveal more about the composition and behavior of these rare interstellar visitors, potentially shedding light on the origins of our own solar system.
The upcoming approach of Comet 3I/ATLAS offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to study an extragalactic object in unprecedented detail. As it continues its journey towards the sun, it serves as a reminder of the vast and complex cosmic dance that plays out within our galaxy.
