Indian Astronomers Capture Stunning Images of Interstellar Comet as It Visits Our Solar System

Hyderabad: Indian astronomers have made an exciting discovery by capturing the first images of the interstellar comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope in Ladakh. This momentous event took place on the night of July 3, 2025.

The comet was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. It’s only the third known interstellar visitor to our solar system, surpassing earlier visitors like the asteroid Oumuamua (2017) and the comet Borisov (2019).

Interstellar objects, like this comet, are not bound by the gravitational pull of a sun. Instead, they travel freely through space. The newly discovered C/2025 N1 is clearly different; it’s larger, faster, and brighter than its predecessors.

Using three SDSS filters (g′, r′, and i′), astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics tracked the comet’s movement. They employed a range of imaging techniques to show its distinct motion, allowing them to create a stunning montage. This montage captured the comet’s path, highlighting its streaks over different exposures.

Interestingly, when the comet was first detected, it was approximately 4.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, moving at a speed of about 61 kilometers per second. Just to give you some perspective, one AU is roughly 150 million kilometers—the distance from the Earth to the Sun. The comet’s high velocity suggests it came from far outside the solar system, likely from regions like the Oort Cloud or even beyond.

NASA has confirmed that C/2025 N1 poses no threat to Earth, as it will stay at least 1.6 AU away when it passes through our orbit. It is set to make its closest approach to the Sun around October 30, coming within 1.4 AU.

User reactions on social media have been enthusiastic, with many posting their own interpretations of the comet’s images. People are excited about the potential scientific knowledge these interstellar visitors can bring. They enrich our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

In conclusion, C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) is not just another comet; it’s a cosmic messenger from the unknown. As we capture its journey, we open the door to new insights about our solar system and beyond. For more in-depth information, visit NASA’s website.

Source link

3I ATLAS, INDIAN INSTITITE OF ASTROPHYSICS, INTERSTELLAR OBJECT, HANLE OBSERVATORY, IIA CAPTURES INTERSTELLAR COMET, 3I/ATLAS: INDIAN ASTRONOMERS PHOTOGRAPH INTERSTELLAR COMET VISITING SOLAR SYSTEM FROM DEEP SPACE