4:00a HST | 6:00a Pacific

Join the Shadow the Scientists initiative on Zoom for an exciting special event as Bryce Bolin (Eureka Scientific), Laura-May Abron (Griffith Observatory), and Matthew Belyakov (Caltech) use the Gemini Observatory North to observe comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare interstellar object passing through our solar system!

As only the third confirmed visitor from beyond our solar neighborhood, 3I/ATLAS offers an extraordinary opportunity to study material that formed around another star. Ejected from its original system millions to billions of years ago, the comet recently entered our solar system from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, near the Milky Way’s galactic center.

In this special observing session, astronomers will attempt to capture some of the first post-perihelion observations of comet 3I/ATLAS, following its reemergence from behind the Sun. Building on Gemini South data from August, the team aims to detect chemical signatures in the gas it emits to learn about the comet’s composition, physical state, and evolution.

Supported by the Gemini North science and outreach staff and leading experts in comets and interstellar visitors, this event offers one of the closest looks yet of this enigmatic interstellar visitor!