The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has captured the scientific community’s attention, and Doğuş University’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering is at the forefront of harnessing this unique opportunity for advanced astronomy research. By combining state‑of‑the‑art observatories with international collaborations, the university offers a comprehensive research environment for students, postdoctoral scholars, and industry partners interested in the dynamics, composition, and implications of interstellar visitors.
What Is 3I/ATLAS and Why It Matters
3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) is the third confirmed interstellar object to traverse the Solar System, following the historic passages of 1I/‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Discovered on 1 July 2025 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial‐Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), the comet entered the inner Solar System on a hyperbolic trajectory, traveling at ~58 km/s. Its orbital eccentricity of approximately 6.1 confirms that it was never gravitationally bound to the Sun—an asteroid-like newcomer from an external star system.
Because interstellar comets preserve pristine material from other stellar nursery environments, they provide an unprecedented window into the chemistry of planetary systems beyond our own. Studying 3I/ATLAS enables scientists to compare the volatile inventories of different protoplanetary disks, test models of comet formation, and trace the distribution of essential ingredients for life.
Discovery and Early Observations
ATLAS identified 3I/ATLAS while scanning a large sky segment for near‑Earth objects. At the time of discovery, the comet was roughly 420 million miles from the Sun, moving slowly enough for ground‑based telescopes to observe but bright enough to trigger global alerts. Subsequent observations from the Swift Space Telescope recorded a persistent outflow of ~40 kg s⁻¹ of hydroxyl (OH), confirming active sublimation of water molecules even at a distance of 2.9 astronomical units. This sustained activity places 3I/ATLAS among a very small group of comets that maintain volatiles at such great heliocentric distances.
Physical Characteristics and Composition
Detailed spectroscopy from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) revealed a coma dominated by carbon dioxide—about 87 % of the detected gases. The nucleus, an approximate 5 km diameter, is noticeably larger than that of 2I/Borisov, indicating a substantial reservoir of organic material.
Polarimetric studies found an unusually deep negative polarization branch with a minimum value of –2.7 % at a 7° phase angle and an inversion angle of 17°, a feature never before observed in either asteroids or comets. Additionally, the VLT’s UVES spectrograph showed a strikingly high nickel-to-iron ratio in the coma, with iron present only as trace amounts. Such chemical signatures suggest a formation pathway distinct from that of known Solar System bodies.
Doğuş University’s Contribution to Interstellar Research
Doğuş University’s Office of Universal Exploration and Communication (DÜEKİ) and faculty members, led by Associate Professor Dr. Nihan Katırcı, have integrated the university’s advanced observation facilities with international data streams. The department’s expertise in high‑resolution imaging and radio‑frequency analysis has augmented global efforts to monitor 3I/ATLAS from multiple angles.
Research Infrastructure and Collaborative Efforts
The department maintains a suite of instruments, including an up‑to‑date spectrograph suite covering infrared, visible, and ultraviolet wavelengths, and a dedicated polarimetry module. These resources enable detailed temporal studies as 3I/ATLAS approaches perihelion and moves away from the Sun. By collaborating with space agencies—such as NASA, ESA, and JAXA, as well as with European observatories like the Institute of Physics at the University of Geneva—Doğuş researchers have access to data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Parker Solar Probe, and planetary missions such as Perseverance and Curiosity.
Key Findings from Doğuş Researchers
Early results point to a complex dust–gas interplay in the coma, with dust grains reflecting the negative polarization anomaly. By modeling the light scattering properties of the comet’s dust, researchers have proposed that nanoscale iron depletion may be responsible for the distinct polarimetric signature. These insights are shaping new theoretical frameworks for cometary dust composition across stellar environments.
Moreover, Fourier transforms of the comet’s light curve have identified subtle periodicities which might suggest a rotating body or active jets. This observation could refine our understanding of the nucleus’s rotation state and the mechanical properties of interstellar comet material.
Implications for Astronomy and Exoplanet Studies
The chemical fingerprints gathered from 3I/ATLAS challenge prevailing assumptions about the distribution of volatiles in stellar systems. Discovering significant amounts of CO₂ and Ni I, while lacking notable Fe, indicates that the object could have originated from a radiation‑enriched environment or from a protoplanetary disk with a different metallicity profile.
Insights into Planet Formation
The presence of water ice at distances beyond 3 AU suggests that icy bodies could spread far beyond the traditional snow line in other systems. This expands the plausible range for habitable zone planets and informs models about where life‑supporting compounds can be delivered via cometary impacts.
Potential for Future Interstellar Missions
ESA’s required “Comet Interceptor” mission, slated for 2029, will maintain a trajectory that can intercept forthcoming interstellar bodies. Data from 3I/ATLAS will inform trajectory calculations, instrument calibration, and risk assessment for such maneuvers. Doğuş University plans to host a university‑level prototype instrument set capable of rapid deployment in response to sudden interstellar appearances.
How You Can Engage with Doğuş University
The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering offers degree programs that incorporate astrophysics, high‑performance computing, and instrumentation—fields essential for modern space science. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for research assistantships specifically focused on cometary science, gaining hands‑on experience with real data from 3I/ATLAS.
Academic Programs and Research Opportunities
Prospective students interested in astronomy research are encouraged to explore the university’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering program, which currently features a dedicated Research Lab for Space Science and Augmented Observational Techniques. Academics receive support for conference travel, publication grants, and collaboration with agencies worldwide.
To learn more about the available research projects, visit the department’s research page or contact the faculty through the contact form.
Student and Public Engagement
The university is launching a public outreach initiative titled “From the Stars to the Classroom,” aiming to present the latest findings on interstellar comets to local schools and community groups. Volunteer opportunities are available for senior students and alumni to assist in creating educational materials and organizing observation nights with the university’s telescopes.
Follow the university’s Twitter page, Instagram profile, and YouTube channel for live science briefings and Q&A sessions with the research team.
For those looking to immerse themselves in advanced astronomy research or to apply for a program that actively engages with interstellar phenomena, Doğuş University’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering offers a dynamic environment enriched by cutting‑edge instrumentation and global collaborations. By joining this academic community, you can contribute to our expanding knowledge of cosmic objects that travel between stars and shape the scientific narrative of every new celestial visitor.
