Science Friday Meet 3I/Atlas, An Object From Another Solar System
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Sep 4, 2025 Join astrochemist Stefanie Milam from NASA, a key player in the James Webb Space Telescope mission, and Dr. Jessica Barnes from the University of Arizona, an expert on asteroid origins, as they dive into the intriguing interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. They discuss its rare composition and what it can reveal about planetary systems. They also explore groundbreaking findings from asteroid Bennu, including stardust that pre-dates our solar system, offering amazing insights into cosmic history and the formation of celestial bodies.
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Rushing To Observe 3I/ATLAS
- Stefanie Milam described getting an urgent July 4th email thread about the new interstellar object and rushing to trigger observing programs.
- Her team even activated JWST observations before the principal investigator was reachable to ensure coverage.
Rare Interstellar Visitor Reveals New Capabilities
- 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object ever detected, after Oumuamua and Borisov.
- JWST's sensitivity and wavelength range can reveal composition details previous telescopes could not.
Atlas Behaves Like A Comet
- 3I/ATLAS is active and classified as a comet because it emits gas and dust, producing a fuzzy coma and tail.
- Activity indicates sublimation of ices as it approaches the Sun, revealing volatile composition.