In November 2025, the comet 3I/ATLAS popped back into view after swinging behind the Sun. This comet, which is currently heading into the outer Solar System, has been ramping up its activity since getting close to the Sun. Now, it’s in sight of our telescopes and space missions again. One significant effort is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) JUpiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE), which caught a fascinating glimpse of 3I/ATLAS just before it zoomed past the comet.
On November 2, 2025, JUICE took a snapshot of 3I/ATLAS from about 66 million kilometers away. While this distance is far compared to images captured earlier by Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), JUICE’s image shows the comet in a more active state. Even though the data won’t be fully available until February 2026, the team shared a quarter of the NavCam image, sparking excitement among scientists.
The image reveals something intriguing: two distinct tails. The “plasma tail” is made of charged gas and stretches upward, while the “dust tail” trails below, formed by solid particles spewed out by the comet. This dual behavior aligns with what we expect from comets and gives insight into their dynamics.
ESA anticipates it will have the complete data by February 18-20. The probe is sending information back to Earth at a slower pace due to the need to protect its main antenna from heat. But there’s more to look forward to. JUICE is armed with five science instruments that will offer a deeper understanding of the comet’s makeup and behavior.
Scientists are particularly interested in what this data will reveal about the comet’s origins, potentially shedding light on the early conditions of our galaxy. Given that 3I/ATLAS could date back around 7 billion years, studying it might unlock secrets about the universe long before Earth came to be.
Comets like 3I/ATLAS act as time capsules, holding clues about our galaxy’s history. Popular discussions around this mission highlight how it connects our understanding of cosmic phenomena with our own origins, making it a topic of interest both in scientific circles and among the general public.
For those keen on following the latest updates and findings, further insights are available through ESA’s ongoing research.
