New Study: Cryovolcanism & Ice Volcanoes on 31/ATLAS
A study published on ArXiv, which is not peer-reviewed, claims that 31/ATLAS may be covered in erupting ice volcanoes, a phenomenon known as cryovolcanism.
Read the Arxiv study here.
According to Live Science, the comet exhibits traits similar to trans-Neptunian objects, including dwarf planets.
Study author Josep Trigo-Rodríguez told Live Science:
“We were all surprised. Being a comet formed in a remote planetary system, it is remarkable that the mixture of materials forming the surface of the body has a resemblance with trans-Neptunian objects.”
The researchers also captured the highest-resolution images yet showing jets of gas and dust blasting from the comet—evidence supporting cryovolcanic activity.
NASA’s Latest Findings: A Safe but Extraordinary Visitor
NASA states that Hubble imagery from July revealed a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust surrounding its icy core.
More details from NASA’s observations:
- Estimated diameter: 1,444 feet to 3.5 miles
- Currently poses no threat to Earth
- Will stay at least 1.6 AU (150 million miles) away
- First detected by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile
- Closest approach to the Sun: October 30
- Visible again to telescopes by early December
- Closest to the Earth December 19
Men’s Journal also covered the new findings in its feature, available here.
