Physical Interpretation of Non-Gravitational Forces in Interstellar Comets

 



Non-Gravitational Forces as Probes of Interstellar Comet Physics: Insights from 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1)

Non-gravitational forces provide a direct physical window into the activity of interstellar comets, linking subtle orbital perturbations to sublimation processes, surface heterogeneity, and internal structure. For 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1), analysis of these forces offers a physically grounded interpretation of its activity state and places the object firmly within the framework of conventional cometary physics rather than exotic dynamical behavior.

Full text (open access):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398431066

Physical Origin of Non-Gravitational Forces in Comets

In cometary bodies, non-gravitational accelerations arise primarily from asymmetric mass loss driven by solar heating. As volatile ices sublimate, gas escapes through localized vents or active regions, producing collimated jets that impart small but measurable recoil forces. These forces perturb the orbit away from purely gravitational motion and encode information about:

  • Sublimation efficiency
  • Spatial distribution of active regions
  • Thermal properties of the nucleus
  • Surface and near-surface structure

For interstellar comets, detecting such forces is especially valuable because it provides one of the few direct probes of nucleus physics available through remote observation.

Radial-Dominated Acceleration in 3I/ATLAS

For 3I/ATLAS, the inferred non-gravitational acceleration is dominated by the radial component, directed along the Sun–object axis. This pattern is consistent with sunward-facing, localized active regions rather than global or isotropic outgassing.

Radial dominance implies:

  • Sublimation driven primarily by solar insolation
  • Activity concentrated on limited surface areas
  • Absence of widespread volatile exposure

Such behavior aligns with physically plausible cometary activity and supports a thermally regulated sublimation model.

Activity Strength and Comparison with 1I/‘Oumuamua

The modest magnitude of non-gravitational forces measured for 3I/ATLAS carries important physical implications. Compared with the unusually strong accelerations inferred for 1I/‘Oumuamua, the activity of 3I/ATLAS is markedly weaker and more consistent with classical cometary behavior.

Moderate activity levels suggest:

  • Partial depletion of near-surface volatiles
  • Limited surface area occupied by active vents
  • The presence of insulating dust mantles that regulate heat flow and sublimation efficiency

These characteristics point toward an interstellar comet that is physically ordinary, though dynamically exotic in origin.

Weak Torque Signatures and Rotational Stability

The absence of strong transverse or normal acceleration components implies minimal net torque acting on the nucleus. This has direct consequences for the object’s rotational dynamics:

  • Limited spin-up or spin-down
  • Absence of chaotic rotational evolution
  • A dynamically stable rotational state

Such stability further supports the interpretation of 3I/ATLAS as a structurally coherent body with localized, regulated activity rather than a highly fragmented or rapidly evolving object.

Bridging Orbital Dynamics and Nucleus Physics

Interpreting non-gravitational forces in interstellar comets creates a crucial bridge between orbital dynamics and physical structure. For 3I/ATLAS, these measurements constrain:

  • Thermal conductivity and heat transport
  • Volatile composition and depletion state
  • Surface morphology and activity distribution
  • Internal structure and porosity

These parameters are otherwise inaccessible through imaging or spectroscopy alone, underscoring the scientific value of non-gravitational force analysis.

Implications for the Population of Interstellar Comets

As the sample of known interstellar comets grows, comparative analysis of non-gravitational signatures will become a powerful tool for distinguishing between:

  • Different formation environments
  • Evolutionary histories across planetary systems
  • Degrees of surface processing and volatile retention

The behavior of 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) provides a reference case demonstrating that not all interstellar objects require unconventional physical explanations—many may follow familiar cometary physics shaped in extrasolar environments.

This Article Examines

  • The physical origin of non-gravitational forces in cometary bodies
  • What radial-dominated accelerations reveal about sublimation geometry
  • Why weak torque signatures imply rotational stability
  • How non-gravitational behavior constrains interstellar comet physics

Reference (APA 7):
Kodiyatar, N., & Shamala, A. (2025). Scientific understanding of 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1): Authentic data, observational insights, and information ethics. Nohil Kodiyatar & Abhay Shamala. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17851223

#InterstellarObjects #3IATLAS #InterstellarComets #NonGravitationalForces #Astrophysics #PlanetaryScience #CometPhysics #OpenScience


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