NASA’s TESS spacecraft recently captured a unique cosmic spectacle: interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Between January 15 and 22, TESS observed this comet as it sped away from our solar system. Thanks to its wide field of view, the spacecraft recorded the comet, showing it as a bright dot with a dim tail moving through a starry background.
MIT’s Daniel Muthukrishna compiled these observations into a 28-hour video. Unfortunately, TESS went into “safe mode” during this period due to a solar panel issue, leading to a gap in the footage from January 15 to January 18.
Experts like Muthukrishna aim to use the dataset to explore the comet’s activity and rotation. These factors provide clues about how much dust and gas the comet is shedding and how fast its core spins. TESS measured the brightness of 3I/ATLAS at about 11.5 on the apparent magnitude scale, making it roughly 100 times dimmer than what our eyes can see, but still accessible with telescopes.
Originally designed to find exoplanets, TESS is also skilled at monitoring nearby cosmic objects like comets and asteroids. This capability actually allowed astronomers to spot 3I/ATLAS in May 2025, two months before it was officially discovered. By examining historical data, they could track its movements and gather important details, even though the comet’s origin remains unknown.
The recent TESS observations are now publicly accessible on the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes. Here, astronomers hope to find patterns in brightness that may unlock more secrets about this fascinating interstellar traveler.
In a world where space exploration is becoming increasingly democratized, TESS’s observations show that even small changes in our understanding can create excitement and wonder. With the rising interest in astronomy, people are engaging in discussions online, sharing thoughts on comets, space missions, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Educational initiatives and social media trends often amplify these discussions, fostering a community eager to learn more about the universe.
As we continue to explore, our understanding of objects like comet 3I/ATLAS not only highlights the marvels of space but also our growing capacity to observe and analyze them. For further details, check out NASA’s TESS mission updates here.
