Comet or Alien Spaceship: Understanding Interstellar Traveler 3IAtlas
An astrophysicist explains what we know about the interstellar traveler 3IAtlas, which was discovered in our solar system this year.
Despite initial suggestions that it could be an alien spacecraft, observations from powerful telescopes revealed it to be a comet.
“Interstellar objects, which all seem to be comets, are the only things that we’ve ever gotten physical observations for within our solar system that originated outside our solar system,”
says Jacqueline McCleary, an assistant professor of physics at Northeastern University. She adds that these objects are like messengers from afar.
The discovery of 3I/Atlas in July was notable because it was clear that it was not a normal comet, making it a significant find as only the third documented interstellar object to pass through the solar system.
Author's summary: Astrophysicist explains 3IAtlas comet.
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