Citizen Science - Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

A Call to Astro-nuts from the DWARF community and Beyond!

Hey Astro-nuts, get your DWARF scopes ready because something truly extraordinary has entered our Solar System! This isn't just any comet; it's an ambassador from another star system, and you, our dedicated Dwarfer's, have a unique chance to contribute to its study!

Meet 3I/ATLAS: Our Interstellar Visitor:

NASA has just confirmed the arrival of Comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third identified macroscopic object known to be from outside our Solar System. Classified as a comet because of its gaseous coma, 3I/ATLAS is a fast-moving interloper, offering a rare glimpse into the composition and chemistry of distant stellar neighbourhoods. You can learn more about its journey and classification on Wikipedia and NASA Science.

• Where it is now: Currently, 3I/ATLAS is about the distance of Jupiter from the Sun, but it's closing fast!

• Closest approach: Its closest approach to our Sun is expected in late October, bringing it within the orbit of Mars.

• No danger to Earth: Good news for all Dwarfer's – 3I/ATLAS is not expected to pass close to Earth, so no worries there!

• Mysterious Origins: Its exact origin remains unknown, making every observation critical. Initial activity suggests it's a relatively normal comet, but future observations will reveal more about its true nature and composition.

Why This is a Big Deal for You, Dwarfer's!

This isn't just a fleeting fly-by; 3I/ATLAS presents an unprecedented opportunity for citizen scientists like yourselves. Its early discovery gives astronomers months to study it, a huge improvement over previous interstellar visitors like 'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also tracking this rare interstellar comet, as detailed in their report.

Here's how you can join the cosmic observation journey:

While 3I/ATLAS is currently around magnitude 18, meaning it's faint and requires dedicated equipment, its brightness is predicted to improve. It's expected to be visible to ground-based telescopes through September, then will pass too close to the Sun for observations, only to reappear by early December.

What DwarfVision needs your help with:

Scientists are keenly looking for:

• Coma emissions (dust and gas): Is it behaving like a typical comet?

• Brightness shifts: Help estimate its size more precisely.

• Tracking its motion: Over time, its movement against the background stars will be a fascinating sight to capture.

For those with DWARF 2/3 and a passion for deep-sky imaging, this is a prime target! Use your D3's built-in Astro-filter to best capture the light from this faint object. You can capture a series of images over a session and later combine them to show its movement, or even create a time-lapse.

Tips for Observing with Your DWARF Scope:

• Magnitude: This comet is faint! While naked-eye observation or small binoculars won't suffice, your DWARF 2/3 can capture it with stacked exposures, aiming for 2 to 4 hours with the built-in ASTRO filter. The more time you allow, the more of a bright streak will show up in your final stack. This streak is the motion of the comet throughout your shot.

• Location: It's currently in the constellation Sagittarius and will move towards Ophiuchus by mid-July. You can use tools like The SKY LIVE to find its precise location at any given time.

• Moon Conditions: This July, around the Full Buck Moon (July 10), the moonlight will interfere with observing fainter targets. Plan your observations for darker, moonless nights!

We encourage you to capture images, track its path, and share your observations with the broader astronomy community. Platforms like Cloudy Nights or the Minor Planet Center accept public data uploads, ensuring your contributions directly inform scientific research.