14/11/2025
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On July 1, 2025, astronomers spotted the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Since then, teams around the globe have been busy tracking its route. Thanks to innovative use of data from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), the European Space Agency (ESA) has improved predictions of the comet’s path significantly.
Using Mars data allowed scientists to understand the comet’s journey through our Solar System. While 3I/ATLAS isn’t a threat, this research helps us prepare for possible future risks.
For months, astronomers relied on Earth-based telescopes to predict where 3I/ATLAS was headed. However, between October 1 and 7, the ExoMars TGO turned its instruments toward the comet. It came within about 29 million kilometers of Mars, providing a fresh perspective.
This spacecraft was ten times closer than Earth-based observations. By combining this new angle with ground data, scientists achieved a remarkable tenfold increase in prediction accuracy. This is crucial since 3I/ATLAS is speeding away from us at 250,000 km/h and will soon exit our Solar System.
One challenge was using the TGO, which typically views Mars. The camera, designed for high-resolution images of our planet’s surface, had to be redirected to capture 3I/ATLAS against the backdrop of stars. This adjustment showed how versatile our space equipment can be.
The ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre has expertise in predicting the orbits of asteroids and comets. This time, they needed to factor in the unique position of the ExoMars TGO. Normally, they base predictions on data from Earth or nearer spacecraft.
By working together, various teams within ESA tackled the complexities of this task. They attained precise data on 3I/ATLAS, marking the first time measurements from another planet have been accepted into the Minor Planet Center’s database. This database is vital for tracking all known asteroids and comets.
3I/ATLAS, while harmless, provided a practical opportunity to refine our planetary defense techniques. ESA constantly monitors near-Earth objects, ready to warn us if needed. This event highlighted the importance of using multi-source data for more accurate tracking.
This experience not only sharpens current skills but also opens doors for better detection strategies for potential future threats.
The ExoMars TGO observations were crucial, but they aren’t the end of the story. The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) is currently studying 3I/ATLAS, even if it’s further away. Juice will collect data about the comet’s activities, which may arrive in February 2026.
ESA is also launching the Neomir mission to tackle a critical blind spot in asteroid observations caused by the Sun’s brightness. This mission aims to detect any objects coming from that direction, giving us advanced warnings.
Comets like 3I/ATLAS connect us to the universe. ESA is preparing the Comet Interceptor mission to explore another comet, possibly an interstellar one, to learn more about these fascinating celestial wanderers.
