3I/ATLAS

[Hriston]

So which one do we think it really is?

View attachment 418890

Seven billion year old cosmic dragon explains its anomalous mass (33 billion tons) and forward jet.

 

[trappedslider]

I'd say name it cotton eye joe, but we know (roughly) where it came from and (roughly) where it will go

 

[Lidgar]

I’m mostly interested to see what kind of additional measurements of its chemical properties we can collect.

That, and maybe a glimpse of this guy as he passes by.

 

[briggart]

That the term has been used isn't in question. It's that it doesn't seem to have a workable definition as a category other than "things which resemble comets", so doesn't shed much light on the nature of this particular object.

The point is that we now understand that "comet" is not a sharply defined category in itself.

Comet literally means "star with long hairs", so comets were originally defined based on their appearance.

With modern astronomy we realized that that appearance was tied to their physical origin as small and mainly icy bodies from the outer regions of the solar systems.

But with more and more observations, we began to notice both comets which do not fully fit the classical Oort Cloud object definition, and also some asteroids that under some conditions can show a tail and/or a coma. So now we talk about main-belt comets, comet-like asteroids, active asteroids, and probably many more intermediate cases stretching between the classical definitions.

 

[MarkB]

So which one do we think it really is?

View attachment 418890

Swarm of draconic cosmic-horror tyrant comets.

 

[MoonSong]

Yes, the expected outcome is the current scientific consensus that it's a comet will be confirmed by further observation, but the alternatives are also intriguing. That you prefer to use the phrase "comet-like object" instead of simply calling it a comet would imply that it's "true nature" is far from settled. Inventing a "comet-like" category does little to address the anomalies the object exhibits.

The alternatives aren't that serious or likely. The scientist who expressed it is important, yes, but he is also known for these kinds of stunts. Highly suspected of acting cute in order to stirr controversy and make the general public care.

 

[aco175]

What a coincidence that a large object is heading for Earth and the government is 'shut down' preventing images and any knowledge of this getting out.

 

[Morrus]

That the term has been used isn't in question. It's that it doesn't seem to have a workable definition as a category other than "things which resemble comets", so doesn't shed much light on the nature of this particular object.

Well that’s how I read your post—that you thought Umbran had invented it. The rest I have no comment on.

 

[Morrus]

What a coincidence that a large object is heading for Earth and the government is 'shut down' preventing images and any knowledge of this getting out.

Luckily only one government out of a few hundred is shut down and there are lots of telescopes in the world.

 

[Hriston]

What a coincidence that a large object is heading for Earth and the government is 'shut down' preventing images and any knowledge of this getting out.
View attachment 418899

I know you're joking and as far as anyone knows it's not "heading for Earth", but the shutdown doesn't explain why ESA's being so slow.