The recently discovered 3I/ATLAS stands out from regular comets due to its origin, trajectory, and speed—all pointing to its interstellar nature:
1. Origin
- 3I/ATLAS comes from outside our solar system, unlike typical comets that originate in the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, regions at the edge of our solar system.
- It is only the third confirmed interstellar comet ever observed, after 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).
2. Trajectory
- It travels on a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it is not bound by the Sun’s gravity.
- Ordinary comets follow elliptical orbits, looping around the Sun and often returning periodically.
3. Speed
- 3I/ATLAS moves at an extremely high speed of 60 km per second, far faster than solar system objects, helping it escape the Sun’s gravitational pull.
4. Scientific Value
- Since it formed around a distant star, 3I/ATLAS offers a unique sample of material from another planetary system.
- Studying it helps scientists compare cosmic chemistry and formation processes across different star systems.
5. One-Time Visit
- Unlike many comets that revisit the inner solar system, 3I/ATLAS will pass through only once before heading back into deep space, making this a rare and time-sensitive observation opportunity.