Mystery of 'strange object' 3I/Atlas solved

Scientists believe 3I/Atlas is a comet. Photo: NASA .

An observatory in South Africa has detected the first radio signal from 3I/Atlas, an interstellar object that has been the subject of much debate in recent times. This result helps strengthen the evidence that 3I/Atlas is actually a comet, not an object of high-tech origin as many speculate on social networks.

According to the research team, the MeerKAT observatory, a system of 64 13.5-meter-diameter antennas operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, recorded “OH absorptions on the 1,665 MHz and 1,667 MHz lines.” This is a frequency pattern characteristic of hydroxyl radicals (OH), which often appear around comets when they approach the Sun.

Unlike intentional signals like spacecraft communication signals, the OH lines detected by MeerKAT are a natural phenomenon. As they approach the Sun, ice on comets release water vapor and molecules that form OH.

Under the influence of radiation, these molecules absorb and emit radiation at certain radio frequencies, creating spectral lines that can be detected by telescopes. In the case of 3I/Atlas, the observation geometry causes the OH line to appear as absorption rather than emission.

MeerKAT detected the signal on October 24, just five days before 3I/Atlas reached perihelion. The observatory had previously made observations on September 20 and 28, but failed to get any results. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who has been closely monitoring 3I/Atlas, said he had urged radio observatories to look for signals from the object, as its approach was near the location of the Wow! signal in 1977.

Scientists are continuing to monitor the OH-forming process and observe the extent and structure of the comet's tail to make a more definitive assessment, he said. While supporting the hypothesis that 3I/Atlas may have a technological origin, Loeb said the new discovery does not diminish his interest in the object.

The discovery of the OH absorption line by MeerKAT is unlikely to put an end to the debate and conspiracy theories surrounding 3I/Atlas. However, scientists say the public attention, whether it stems from skepticism or curiosity, has helped to spur interest in astrophysics.

3I/Atlas will reach its closest point to Earth on December 19. During that time, observatories plan to continue to closely monitor it to gain additional data on this rare interstellar object.

Source: https://znews.vn/bi-an-vat-the-la-3iatlas-duoc-giai-ma-post1603472.html