NASA’s Europa Clipper Aims to Sample Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA’s Europa Clipper probe is positioned to potentially capture material from the ion tail of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it travels through the inner solar system. Scientists have determined that the probe could intersect with the comet’s ion tail between October 30 and November 6, 2023, marking a unique opportunity to study material from beyond our solar system.

Two European researchers, Samuel Gran from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Geraint Jones, a project scientist at the European Space Agency, have published preliminary findings on the preprint server arXiv. Their research indicates that the Europa Clipper might collect data on charged particles emitted by the comet, a significant step given the limited information available on interstellar comets and their origins.

Potential Breakthrough in Space Research

Gran emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, “We have virtually no data on the interior of interstellar comets and the star systems that formed them. Sampling the tail in this way is the closest we can currently get to a direct sample of such an object, and thus a different part of the galaxy.” This mission could provide insights into the building blocks of comets that originate from distant star systems.

The comet’s tail has become increasingly prominent since its discovery in early June, as it approaches the Sun. The heat from the Sun is causing 3I/ATLAS’s icy core to release gas and dust, expanding the ion tail and increasing the chances of capturing samples as Europa Clipper approaches. The probe is en route to Europa, one of Jupiter’s 95 moons, where it will investigate whether conditions beneath its icy surface could support life.

Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, Europa Clipper is well-prepared for the analysis of the ion tail. The stream of charged particles emanates from the Sun, propelled by solar wind, and Gran and Jones utilized their “Tailcatcher” computer program to estimate the likelihood of an intersection between the probe and 3I/ATLAS’s tail.

Challenges Ahead for the Probe

Despite the promising outlook, several challenges could impede the mission’s success. Currently, the instruments necessary for data collection on Europa Clipper are inactive while the probe travels toward Jupiter. With a government shutdown affecting NASA operations, it remains uncertain whether these instruments can be activated in time for the encounter.

Additionally, the solar wind must be aligned precisely to ensure that the charged particles from the comet’s tail reach the probe. 3I/ATLAS is set to reach perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun, on October 29, making this the optimal time for capturing a sample, as the tail will be at its broadest just before the planned crossing window opens.

If successful, this mission would represent the first direct collection of material from an interstellar object by any spacecraft. Even in the event that Europa Clipper does not capture ions directly, the probe may still detect magnetic field draping and shock signatures that indicate the presence and structure of the ion tail.

The potential for groundbreaking discoveries makes the upcoming weeks critical for scientists and space enthusiasts alike. The intersection of the Europa Clipper with 3I/ATLAS could not only enhance our understanding of interstellar comets but also provide clues about the formation of our solar system and beyond.