Get Ready for Juno’s Epic Close Encounter: Witness 3I/ATLAS as it Approaches Jupiter!

The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS was spotted on July 1, 2025. It’s set to get close to Jupiter on March 16, 2026, just 53.6 million kilometers away. A recent paper by researchers, including Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl, reveals an exciting opportunity to redirect NASA’s Juno spacecraft to study 3I/ATLAS closely.

Juno, named after Jupiter’s wife in mythology, was launched back in 2011 and has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016. It was initially meant to be destroyed in Jupiter’s atmosphere but has since been given a new mission. Now, Juno could use its instruments to analyze 3I/ATLAS up close.

To make this happen, Juno needs to change its course using a thrust of 2.675 kilometers per second on September 14, 2025. This maneuver can shift its orbit to intercept this fast-traveling object at just the right moment. The gravitational pull of Jupiter can help boost Juno further in a technique called a “Jupiter Oberth Maneuver.”

Juno is equipped with several tools to gather data. These include a near-infrared spectrometer and a gravity science instrument. This means it could gather valuable information about the interstellar object that no telescope on Earth could achieve.

Calculating the exact path is complex. Specific software helps determine the most efficient way to change Juno’s course, considering its fuel limits and past maneuvers. The calculations show that the fuel in Juno’s tank is likely enough for this mission stretch.

Recent historical missions have shown that close encounters with interstellar objects are rare, making these opportunities highly scientific. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile is expected to find new interstellar objects every few months in the coming decade, opening more chances for similar missions.

By redirecting Juno to intercept 3I/ATLAS, scientists get the chance to explore and learn about an object from another star system. If the mission is successful, it will extend Juno’s life and our understanding of the cosmos.

For more details on interstellar exploration, you can check out NASA’s resources on the Juno mission.

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