A Rare Interstellar Object Is Zipping Through Our Solar System. This Brand-New Telescope Saw It First
In an act of cosmic serendipity, astronomers pointed the Rubin Observatory toward the patch of sky where the interstellar object appeared during its commissioning phase. Images captured by the observatory, perched atop a mountain in the Chilean Andes, later revealed the comet in its full glory. Rubin's observations of 3I/ATLAS were recorded on June 21, around 10 days before its official discovery, according to a recent paper available on the preprint website arXiv.
The Rubin Observatory, overseen by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE), boasts the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy. Its car-sized, 3.2-gigapixel camera is designed to capture ultra-high-definition images and videos of the cosmos. The observatory unveiled its first images to the public on June 23, observing millions of galaxies and stars in the Milky Way over a period of just 10 hours. The images were not only beautiful—they also revealed supernovas and distant galaxies that could help astronomers study the universe's expansion.
With its revolutionary precision, it's no wonder then that the Rubin Observatory captured the recently discovered comet before any other telescope. 3I/ATLAS was first spotted in data collected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) between June 25 and 29, and again on July 1. By July 2, the Deep Random Survey remote telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, had seen it too. The International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center confirmed that this comet came from outside our solar system on July 2, marking the third discovery of an interstellar object.
Since then, astronomers have been rushing to gather as much data as they can on the mysterious object. The Gemini North telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii, recently snapped a close-up view of 3I/ATLAS, capturing the comet's coma in extreme detail. Initial observations of 3I/ATLAS suggest it's the oldest comet ever found, around 2 billion years older than our solar system. Compared to the two previously discovered interstellar objects, 'Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS is not only older, but it's also faster. A recent study, which has yet to undergo peer review, found that 3I/ATLAS has a hyperbolic velocity of about 37 miles per second (60 kilometers per second).
Rubin's early observations of 3I/ATLAS are important considering they are the earliest images captured of the comet by a high-precision telescope. The new paper includes 49 images in total, although some were excluded because they were captured during Rubin's alignment sequence and were out of focus. Nineteen of the images were captured during intentional operations and confirm that 3I/ATLAS does in fact behave like a comet, with a cloud of gas and dust surrounding its icy nucleus, according to the paper.
Just as it was the first to spot the comet, Rubin will also be the first to lose sight of it. On August 22, 3I/ATLAS will shift out of the area in the sky currently being watched by the observatory. Until then, the astronomers behind the paper will keep an eye out for the interstellar visitor in Rubin's images.
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In academic science, for example, it's very difficult to go into the forest and test all the plants to discover a remedy because there are so many. But if you already have a clue, things change. You can focus on a specific family or genus, making the search more precise. That clue is intuitive, and for intuition to work, the person must have a deep connection with nature. How do Indigenous medicine and academic medicine coexist in your village? I still feel the integration between the two is weak, despite the health system being present in the village. During my research, the Indigenous Health Department established a medicinal plant garden here, which has been one of the most significant steps towards integrating knowledge. Additionally, we have an Indigenous doctor in the village, which greatly aids this integration. He combines his traditional knowledge with conventional therapies, recommending both when a health issue can be treated with a plant. You had the support of Indigenous leaders to begin this research. What are their main interests: preserving knowledge, deepening traditional knowledge through academia, or both? The goal was more about valuing knowledge. Here in the village, we know the value of plant and cultural knowledge, but because it's part of daily life, many people don't realize its importance. It's like drinking water: You know it's essential, but because it's so routine, we take it for granted. Today, many young people are more connected to the internet and social media, and they drift away from the knowledge passed down by the elders, shared through conversation, and lived experience. Gradually, this knowledge is being lost. But my work promotes an interaction between me, a young person, and the elders. I talk with them and take notes, so that this knowledge, once documented, can transcend time more easily. It's also crucial to encourage other young people to do the same. 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As a result, people living in different parts of the village are familiar with different plants, and this knowledge doesn't always circulate across the community. How are the studies progressing now? My research is still ongoing. I expect to finish in 6 or 7 months. I decided to prioritize studying plants used to treat hypertension, intestinal worms, and diabetes, as these are the most common health concerns among Indigenous people today. By sharing this knowledge, I hope more community members can benefit. I am now finishing the section on plants used for other health complaints. Since I could identify many plants by their scientific names, I researched how they are used outside of our culture and compared that with our traditional knowledge. For those with related studies, the traditional use was confirmed by the known chemical composition of these plants. I would love to continue studying plants, but I'm still refining some ideas. 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Using multiple plants or combining them with pharmaceutical medications isn't always advisable due to these interactions. I also observed that different Indigenous people would use the same name for different plants or the same name for different species. This is an important detail that often goes unnoticed but can affect the accuracy of plant identification. The project also includes a booklet with traditional recipes, correct? Yes, the manual will feature images, data, and some recipes shared by the elders. It's crucial to note that the method of preparing a remedy varies depending on experience. For someone experienced, it's one thing; for someone less familiar, it's another. Great care is needed in preparation. When you leave the village, do you usually take herbs with you, or do you prefer to go to a pharmacy if you need treatment? It depends on the issue, but I typically have both options. During my studies, I often returned home with a backpack full of bark, leaves, and roots. My mother would prepare teas for various ailments. If something required more, I'd first look for phytotherapy at the pharmacy. If I couldn't find it, I'd use synthetic medications. Having both options has always been better than relying on just one. Do you think there can be a harmonious integration of both forms of medicine? Based on the conversations I've had, I believe integration will improve. However, it's still a significant political challenge. True integration requires investment, building appropriate spaces, and acquiring equipment. It's not easy. I'm hopeful we'll progress, but for now, it remains a work in progress.
Yahoo
a day ago
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