NASA recently shared stunning images of a rare interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS. This cosmic traveler is making its one-time visit through our solar system and is currently about 190 million miles from Earth.
One impressive photo, captured from Manciano, Italy, shows the comet gliding through space. 3I/ATLAS was first seen in July and has since been the subject of multiple photographs. Earlier shots in August revealed it from 277 million miles away, while recent images from Mars orbiters displayed a bright dot when the comet was around 18.6 million miles from Mars.
3I/ATLAS holds the title of only the third confirmed interstellar comet to enter our solar system. It’s visible in the pre-dawn sky with binoculars or a telescope. NASA’s acting astrophysics director, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, expressed excitement about the comet, saying it’s a rare opportunity that any telescope owner would want to witness.
The comet will come closest to Earth on December 19, passing within about 170 million miles — nearly double the distance between Earth and the Sun. As it journeys through the solar system, NASA spacecraft will continue tracking its path, with it expected to cross Jupiter’s orbit in spring 2026.
Interestingly, the European Space Agency’s Juice spacecraft has been observing the comet while en route to Jupiter. While it has been collecting data, scientists won’t receive the findings until February, due to the spacecraft’s position near the sun.
The comet is estimated to measure between 1,444 feet and 3.5 miles across, and some scientists believe it may have originated from a star system older than our own. NASA scientist Tom Statler remarked that this insight could offer a glimpse into a time long before the formation of our Earth and Sun. He noted, “3I/ATLAS opens a window into the deep past.”
In a quirky twist, some rumors claimed that the comet might be an alien spacecraft, but NASA officials have dismissed these theories as unfounded.
As our understanding of such rare celestial events evolves, it’s fascinating to think about the history behind this comet and what it tells us about the universe. Science continues to discover, and 3I/ATLAS reminds us just how much in our cosmic neighborhood is still waiting to be explored. To learn more about related space phenomena, check out NASA’s updates here.
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Science, Space, NASA
