CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A comet from another star system is set to pass by Mars this Friday, attracting attention from various spacecraft. Known as 3I/Atlas, this interstellar visitor will come within 18 million miles (29 million kilometers) of the red planet, traveling at an impressive speed of 193,000 mph (310,000 kph).
Both satellites from the European Space Agency orbiting Mars are already aimed at the comet, along with NASA’s own satellite and rovers. This is a rare opportunity, as 3I/Atlas is only the third known interstellar object to pass close to our solar system.
Discovered in July, the comet poses no danger to Earth or its neighboring planets. It will reach its closest point to the sun by the end of October. Interestingly, ESA’s Juice spacecraft, which is on its way to Jupiter, will continue monitoring the comet throughout November.
In December, 3I/Atlas will make its closest approach to Earth, coming within 167 million miles (269 million kilometers). Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the comet’s nucleus is estimated to be between 1,444 feet (440 meters) and 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) wide.
The excitement around this comet showcases the growing trend of public interest in space exploration. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, about 65% of Americans express a strong interest in astronomy and space science. Social media platforms are buzzing with discussions about the event, with hashtags like #Comet3I attracting curious observers.
As space agencies collaborate and share their findings, we learn more about these fascinating cosmic wanderers. This particular comet not only sparks interest due to its interstellar origin but also helps scientists understand more about the solar system’s formation and the materials that exist beyond our immediate backyard.
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Planets, Space exploration, Astronomy, Meteors and meteorites, Aerospace and defense industry, Spacecraft, Europe, Science, Technology, National Aeronautics and Space Administration