Daily Mail: Scientists confirm interstellar object 3I/ATLAS comet

Scientists have confirmed that the mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is a comet, following new observations from the Gemini South Observatory in Chile.

Captured on August 27, when the object was about 240 million miles (380 million km) from Earth, the images show a dense icy nucleus surrounded by a coma of gas and dust, as well as a distinct tail stretching away from the sun, according to Daily Mail. 

Dr Mark Norris, an astronomer from the University of Lancashire who was not involved in the study, told The Daily Mail: “These new images very clearly demonstrate that 3I/ATLAS is a comet.”

As the comet moves closer to the sun, its activity has increased.

“As 3I/ATLAS approaches the Sun, it is being bathed in more and more sunlight, which increases the amount of material outgassing from the comet, which increases the coma and tail of the comet significantly,” Dr Norris said.

Spectral analysis revealed that the comet’s composition is broadly similar to comets in the solar system, but with notable differences.

Dr Matthew Genge of Imperial College London, also not involved in the study, said: “3I/ATLAS has a CO2-rich atmosphere with less water than most home-grown comets. This might indicate it formed far from its parent star.”

Researchers say the findings offer new insights into planetary formation around distant stars.

“Every interstellar comet is a messenger from another star system, and by studying their light and colour, we can begin to understand the diversity of worlds beyond our own,” said Bryce Bolin of Eureka Scientific, who was part of the imaging team.

The observations also dismiss speculation that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft. Dr Genge noted: “Little green men certainly aren't responsible!”

By Sabina Mammadli