In early October, the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS zipped by Mars, coming within 30 million kilometers (about 18.6 million miles) of the planet. This was a big event for several space missions, including those run by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the China National Space Agency (CNSA). While the ESA and CNSA shared some stunning images, NASA kept quiet due to a government shutdown.
Now that the government is back in action, NASA has finally released images of 3I/ATLAS captured by its Mars missions. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN), and the Perseverance rover all contributed. The MRO took images in visible light, while MAVEN focused on ultraviolet light. Perseverance even managed to catch a faint image of the object.
The MRO snapped its images on October 2, when 3I/ATLAS was about 0.2 astronomical units away. These views are some of the closest we’ll get of this comet, which helps scientists estimate its size. Typically, the MRO captures clear images of Mars, but this time it adjusted its orientation to focus on the comet.
MAVEN captured its images over ten days, revealing details about 3I/ATLAS’s chemical makeup. The comet glows with a mix of colors—white in the center, fading to blue and purple at the edges. This data helps scientists understand its origins better.
Shane Byrne, a principal investigator for the HiRISE camera used by MRO, highlighted how each new shot of an interstellar object teaches us something valuable. He noted, “We’re fortunate that 3I/ATLAS passed this close to Mars.” Leslie Tamppari from NASA added that opportunities like this are rare and allow for unique studies of other celestial objects.
Perseverance also caught a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS from Jezero Crater on October 4. Because the comet was so faint, the rover had to use long exposure times. This made stars appear as streaks while the comet itself was barely visible.
Since then, 3I/ATLAS has become more active, showing increased brightness and new behaviors. It will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025, at a safe distance of nearly twice the distance between Earth and the Sun.
These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of 3I/ATLAS but also spark curiosity about other interstellar objects. With new technology and ongoing missions, we’re likely to uncover even more about these mysterious visitors from beyond our Solar System.
For more insights on 3I/ATLAS, you can check out NASA’s detailed reports here.
