Key Highlights
- NASA and ESA shared new images of 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet.
- The comet is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19.
- Hubble Space Telescope captured the comet’s nucleus and coma, revealing active jets of gas and dust.
- Juice orbiter from ESA also imaged the comet showing hints of two tails.
Comet 3I/ATLAS: The Interstellar Intruder in Our Solar System
The space agencies NASA and ESA have released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, providing a clearer picture of its active state as it hurtles through our solar system. This cosmic phenomenon has captured the attention of scientists and enthusiasts alike due to its unique origin and potential insights into the early universe.
Close Encounter with Earth
Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in late June, is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19. According to experts, this object will be approximately 170 million miles away from our planet—nearly twice the distance between Earth and the sun.
New Images Reveal Active Jets
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured a stunning image of the comet on November 30. The image, showing a glowing white dot at the center, highlights the comet’s nucleus and coma, which is the bright atmosphere of gas and dust surrounding it. This image also reveals faint jets of gas and dust emanating from the warmest side of the comet.
According to Brandon Specktor, editor at Live Science, “The new Hubble image provides a clear view of 3I/ATLAS’ coma and hints at active jets.” The image was taken when Hubble was about 178 million miles from the comet, closer than during its initial observation in late July. At that time, Hubble could only detect a blue blur, allowing scientists to estimate the size of 3I/ATLAS between 1,400 feet and 3.5 miles wide.
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) Captures Another View
On Thursday, December 4, ESA shared a new image taken by its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) orbiter. The image shows the comet with hints of two tails: a plasma tail made up of electrically charged gas and a fainter dust tail stretching to the lower left of the frame.
An ESA spokesperson stated, “Not only do we clearly see the glowing halo of gas surrounding the comet known as its coma, we also see a hint of two tails.” Juice was about 41 million miles away from the comet when it took this image, closer than Hubble. The full data set from these observations will not reach Earth until late February 2026.
Preparations for James Webb Telescope Observations
As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey, the James Webb Space Telescope is scheduled to observe it again. Meanwhile, countless scientific observatories and amateur astronomers are eagerly watching this mysterious visitor from interstellar space. Every observation matters as we strive to understand more about these rare objects that originate beyond our solar system.
Specktor adds, “Every spacecraft observing 3I/ATLAS provides us with unique insights into the nature of interstellar comets and their behavior in our neighborhood.” The upcoming observations by the James Webb Telescope will undoubtedly add valuable data to our understanding of this cosmic phenomenon.
The study of objects like 3I/ATLAS not only enhances our knowledge of the solar system but also offers a glimpse into the early history of the universe, making these close encounters with interstellar comets highly significant for scientific research and public interest alike.
