Isotopic Evidence for a Cold and Distant Origin of Interstellar Object 3I/Atlas
3 days ago
- #interstellar-objects
- #isotopic-analysis
- #astrophysics
- Interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS provide direct samples of icy planetesimals from other stars.
- Isotopic measurements of 3I/ATLAS show a unique elemental composition not found in the Solar System.
- The deuterium enrichment (D/H = 0.95%) is over ten times higher than in known comets.
- Carbon isotopic ratios (12C/13C) for CO2 and CO exceed typical Solar System and interstellar values.
- These extreme signatures suggest formation at temperatures below 30 K in a metal-poor environment.
- The carbon isotopes indicate accretion 10-12 billion years ago, following early intense star formation.
- 3I/ATLAS is a preserved fragment of an ancient planetary system, showing volatile-rich planetesimal formation in the young Milky Way.