Determine the internal mechanical strength of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

Determine the internal mechanical strength (e.g., tensile and compressive strength) of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, consistent with its estimated size of 0.3–5.6 km and ~16 h rotation period, to assess how it has survived prolonged exposure in the interstellar medium and its recent solar approach.

Background

The paper argues that 3I/ATLAS likely possesses significant mechanical strength, given its survival over billions of years in the interstellar medium and its current large size and rotation period. However, the authors explicitly note the internal strength is unknown, emphasizing the need for direct constraints to understand its resilience to disruptive processes.

Establishing the internal strength would inform models of ejection, interstellar transit, and activity near the Sun, and would help discriminate among formation scenarios involving metal-bearing carbonaceous materials.