Like interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is preparing for its closest approach to Earth on December 19, being monitored not only by space agencies but also by the United Nations.
The comet, which will pass approximately 167 million miles (270 million kilometers) from our planet, will be tracked by telescopes around the world so astronomers can pinpoint its location and make predictions about future similar objects.
Tracking the “comet-comet”
The IAWN had been planning a similar observing campaign since October 2024, so 3I/ATLAS arrived late, but by chance it was first noticed at the end of June. The upcoming close approach of the interstellar comet fits well with the team's planned observing schedule, and since 3I/ATLAS was visible at the network's observatories and generating a lot of interest, it seemed a good fit, Bauer said.
He noted that there are problems with accurately measuring the comet's position, such as brightness change and the variability of its coma, the cloud of gas and dust that spreads around the comet's core and tail as it approaches the Sun and warms up. These features can increase the comet's apparent size and make it difficult to determine its location.
Fortunately, although 3I/ATLAS originated outside solar systemAccording to Bauer, it exhibits such classic comet behavior that it is almost a “comet-comet.” For example, it includes components like water and carbon dioxide which behave similarly to ordinary comets in the Solar System.
Community interest was high. Citizen scientists, large and small observatories, and scientific organizations formed a record 171 campaigners at the start of the IAWN 3I/ATLAS pre-election meeting in October. A mid-campaign conference call, held on December 9 and a few days before Bauer's Live Science interview, brought together 100 campaigners.
“We answered questions from the community, such as: How do I use this tool? What is the correct format for observing or reporting observations?” – said Bauer.
He said he's grateful for the community's time and interest as it helps astronomers improve their ability to report the positions of objects in the sky, including “vigilance” for other near-Earth asteroids and objects that come much closer to our planet.
