Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS's Blue Shine Is Surprising Astronomers
Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known visitor from beyond our Solar System, is brightening far more rapidly than expected as it approaches perihelion, its closest point to the Sun.
Due to its position almost directly behind the Sun for the past month, ground-based observations have been nearly impossible, and astronomers have been relying on space-based observatories instead.
A team of researchers, including Qicheng Zhang from Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams from the US Naval Research Laboratory, utilized solar-monitoring satellites to track the comet.
- STEREO-A
- SOHO
- GOES-19
These spacecraft, designed to watch the Sun's corona, captured the comet's dramatic transformation, revealing a surprising blue shine.
Researchers are puzzled by the comet's strange green glow and rapid brightening.
Astronomers continue to study the comet, providing new insights into its composition and behavior.
Author's summary: Astronomers surprised by Comet 3I/ATLAS's rapid brightening.