NASA has just shared stunning new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. These images are the closest we’ve gotten yet, revealing this unique object as it travels through our Solar System.
Many NASA missions, including the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), were in just the right spot to capture these views. Mars was particularly fortunate, being positioned perfectly to get high-quality images of the comet. “Mars was on the correct side of the Sun for us to observe,” said NASA planetary scientist Tom Statler. He mentioned that the comet’s arrival coincided with its closest approach to the Sun, which is a critical time for observing its activity.
Since its discovery on July 1, 2025, the public’s interest in 3I/ATLAS has surged. This comet is unlike any we’ve seen before. Due to its orbit, it was best viewed from Mars just as it reached perihelion on October 29, a time when a comet’s icy core heats up and becomes very active. Although Earth wasn’t well placed to see it, multiple spacecraft were able to take advantage of this unique alignment.
NASA has expanded its capabilities to observe celestial objects, effectively providing broader insights into our cosmic neighborhood. In addition to the MRO, the MAVEN orbiter captured images in ultraviolet light, giving us a better look at the hydrogen in the comet’s atmosphere and tail. The Perseverance rover also documented the comet from the Martian surface, adding to our rich understanding.
Nikki Fox, from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, pointed out how impressive it is that the comet passed right inside Mars’ orbit. This proximity allowed various missions to take time away from their primary objectives to observe 3I/ATLAS. Other NASA solar observatories and missions, like LUCY and Psyche, also caught glimpses of the comet.
The images may be a little fuzzy, but they’re still significant for scientists studying this intriguing comet. “This object behaves like a comet, and all signs point to it being a comet,” reassured NASA associate administrator Amit Kshatriya. Despite some rumors hinting at an alien origin, all evidence suggests it is a natural object from beyond our Solar System.
Astrophotographer Satoru Murata recently captured a stunning image of 3I/ATLAS from New Mexico, showcasing its long tails and greenish coma, which are typical for natural comets. This adds to the excitement and validation of the object’s cometary identity.
3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19. While it won’t come too close, this will be one of the best chances to observe the comet using telescopes and cameras right from our planet.
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