Publications (7)
Characterizing the Manx Candidate A/2018 V3
Caroline Piro, Karen J. Meech, Erica Bufanda +10
Manx objects approach the inner solar system on long-period comet (LPC) orbits with the consequent high inbound velocities, but unlike comets, Manxes display very little to no acti…
Very Large Telescope Observations of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. II. From Quiescence to Glow: Dramatic Rise of Ni i Emission and Incipient CN Outgassing at Large Heliocentric Distances*
Rohan Rahatgaonkar, Juan Pablo Carvajal, Thomas H. Puzia +25
We report VLT spectroscopy of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (C/2025~N1) from to ~au using X-shooter (300--550\,nm, ) and UVES (opt…
TNO or Comet? The Search for Activity and Characterization of Distant Object 418993 (2009 MS9)
Erica Bufanda, Karen J. Meech, Jan T. Kleyna +10
2009 MS9 is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) whose perihelion brings it close to the distance where some long period comets are seen to become active. Knowing this, and the fact that…
Time-Domain Photometry and Activity Evolution of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS with BHTOM
A. Fraser Gillan, Åukasz Wyrzykowski, PrzemysÅaw J. MikoÅajczyk +69
Time-domain photometric monitoring is essential for characterizing cometary evolution, particularly for rare interstellar objects with limited observing opportunities. We aimed to…
Snapshot of a new interstellar comet: 3I/ATLAS has a red and featureless spectrum
Cyrielle Opitom, Colin Snodgrass, Emmanuel Jehin +19
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object to be discovered. Pre-perihelion measurements provide a unique opportunity to study its activity and compositi…
Interstellar Object Accessibility and Mission Design
Benjamin P. S. Donitz, Declan Mages, Hiroyasu Tsukamoto +6
Interstellar objects (ISOs) represent a compelling and under-explored category of celestial bodies, providing physical laboratories to understand the formation of our solar system…