Stunning Close-Up Images of Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS: Mars Orbiters Reveal Rare Cosmic Wonder

In early October, astronomers made an exciting discovery: an interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS flying past Mars. This comet is remarkable as it is only the third of its kind ever spotted. Unlike our native comets, which form in the Solar System, 3I/ATLAS originated from a completely different star system. In fact, it may be around three billion years older than our Solar System itself!

On October 3, 2025, the comet came within 18.6 million miles of Mars. The European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express were there, ready to capture images. They faced a challenge. These cameras are designed for brightly lit Mars and had to adjust for a much dimmer object. According to Nick Thomas, the principal investigator of the CaSSIS camera, capturing the comet was a tough task.

The cameras successfully snapped a faint, blurry image of 3I/ATLAS. This picture revealed the comet’s nucleus – its rocky, icy center – surrounded by a glowing halo of gas and dust known as the coma. However, the tiny nucleus remained difficult to see, akin to spotting a cellphone on the Moon from Earth. The coma, though more visible, also faded quickly with distance.

Comets generally develop a tail as they approach the Sun, blown backward by solar winds. Sadly, 3I/ATLAS’ tail was too faint to capture in photos. The Mars Express orbiter also tried but couldn’t capture much in its half-second exposure shots. Scientists analyzed the light from the comet, which might reveal its composition, although results are not guaranteed.

Colin Wilson, project scientist for both Mars missions, expressed excitement about the unexpected opportunity. He noted the valuable data these missions could gather.

The origins of 3I/ATLAS raise fascinating questions. Unlike objects formed in our Solar System, it came from deep space and provides hints about distant solar systems. Astronomers first discovered it on July 1, 2025, using the ATLAS telescope in Chile.

Looking ahead, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will get a closer look at 3I/ATLAS once it reaches its nearest point to the Sun. This stage should make the comet more active, producing more gas and dust.

Moreover, the European Space Agency is preparing a mission called Comet Interceptor, expected to launch in 2029. Its goal is to catch a new comet from the outskirts of the Solar System or possibly another interstellar visitor.

With each passing comet, we gain more insight into the mysteries of the universe. Though 3I/ATLAS will soon leave our Solar System, its fleeting presence offers a glimpse into a world far beyond our own.

For those interested in more about space and our solar system, you can learn more from sources like NASA and the European Space Agency.



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