The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, only the third confirmed interstellar object ever detected, is being closely observed by spacecraft like Juice and Hubble as it approaches the Sun and Earth.
NASA’s PUNCH mission observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed close to the Sun, revealing its tail and providing valuable data about this interstellar visitor.
This paper describes the monitoring and prediction of the optical properties of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS using ground and space-based observations, including data from the PUNCH mission and solar coronagraphs. It details the methodology for tracking the comet's magnitude throughout its perihelion passage.
Southwest Research Institute Scientists are using data from NASA’s PUNCH mission to study the interaction between interstellar comet 3I/Atlas and the solar wind, providing insights into the comet’s composition and the interstellar medium.
NASA confirms that 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, dismissing speculation about alien origins. The agency shared images and data from multiple space missions to support this conclusion.
NASA missions are tracking and studying the rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through our solar system, with observations from Hubble, Webb, SPHEREx, and others.
Comet 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion on October 30, 2025. This article details the findings from observations of this interstellar comet, including its composition, activity, and orbital behavior, and how this data will inform future missions.
Scientists, including those at the SETI Institute, observed the comet and gathered data on its origin, composition, and trajectory.
Key findings include an unusual prevalence of carbon dioxide over water ice, a nickel-to-iron ratio differing from Solar System comets, and a brightening event near perihelion
Thpe data collected will be valuable for future missions like ESA’s Comet Interceptor, preparing scientists to study future interstellar visitors. The article highlights the role of citizen scientists through the Unistellar Network in contributing to these observations.
Scientists, including those at the SETI Institute, observed the comet and gathered data on its origin, composition, and trajectory.
Key findings include an unusual prevalence of carbon dioxide over water ice, a nickel-to-iron ratio differing from Solar System comets, and a brightening event near perihelion
Thpe data collected will be valuable for future missions like ESA’s Comet Interceptor, preparing scientists to study future interstellar visitors. The article highlights the role of citizen scientists through the Unistellar Network in contributing to these observations.
