A new preprint study suggests that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS may be a pristine carbonaceous object, drawing comparisons between its spectrum and NASA’s early Antarctic meteorite samples. This study highlights 3I/ATLAS’s possible history as an “ancient survivor” traveling through the interstellar medium (ISM) for billions of years, exhibiting notable mechanical strength and an estimated diameter of 0.3 to 5.6 kilometers.
Researchers observed that 3I/ATLAS is experiencing cryovolcanism, a phenomenon where subsurface material erupts, indicating significant alterations in its water content as it approaches the Sun. The study utilized photometric observations to compare the comet’s spectral data with carbonaceous chondrites, suggesting that it may share characteristics with trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs).
Despite its distant origin, 3I/ATLAS shows spectral affinities to CR and CH chondrites, hinting at similar materials being formed in remote parts of the galaxy. The researchers argue for prioritizing missions like ESA’s Comet Interceptor to sample such interstellar visitors, which challenge our understanding of planetary systems and the evolution of small bodies.
The findings, though not yet peer-reviewed, reveal significant insights into the behaviors and compositions of interstellar objects while emphasizing the need for further exploration to better understand our cosmic neighborhood. The study will be available on the arXiv preprint server.
Source link
