Post by : Badri Ariffin

Global astronomers are captivated by 3I/ATLAS, an extraordinary interstellar comet that has bewildered scientists with a sudden increase in velocity and a surprising change in hue. Discovered by the ATLAS telescope in Chile this past July, it now joins the rare ranks of interstellar visitors, following in the trail of Oumuamua and Borisov.

As it draws closer to the Sun, 3I/ATLAS is exhibiting peculiarly atypical behavior for a comet. On October 29, it experienced a sudden brightness and transformed into a vivid blue, suggesting intricate activity beneath its frozen exterior. Its velocity has surged to an astonishing 2,44,600 kmph, propelled by an unusual force that remains a mystery beyond solar gravitational effects.

Notably, visual observations reveal the lack of a tail, a characteristic typically present when solar heat triggers the release of gas and dust. This absence has left experts scratching their heads, as approximately 13% of the comet’s mass should have produced a visible tail.

The shift in color, initially thought to be erratic, is now recognized as the visibility of its gas coma as it starts emitting gases due to solar heat. The previously subtle blue-green tint of the coma has intensified, resulting in a markedly brighter appearance for the comet.

3I/ATLAS is on course to head toward Jupiter by March 2026, granting scientists further chances to investigate its extraordinary phenomena. Observatories worldwide remain vigilant, eager to uncover additional insights into its origin and enigmatic behavior.

#world news #Global News #Space