These images were taken in recent weeks by different NASA spacecraft, but they were released late because the government shutdown paused NASA’s work, as per the report by NBC News.Scientists first discovered 3I/ATLAS in July, and it immediately created excitement among experts and amateur astronomers. The excitement is because it is extremely rare to see an interstellar object from so close.
Interstellar Comet facts
Before this comet, the only confirmed interstellar visitors were ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. Some people online pushed wild theories that the comet might be alien technology or an alien ship, but scientists say there is zero evidence for that. NASA said the object is “consistent with what we expect from a comet,” rejecting all alien speculation.
NASA and ESA images
Scientists will study the comet more in the next few weeks. They want to learn its shape, how fast it moves, and where it may have come from.The comet, called 3I/ATLAS, went closest to the sun at the end of October. Now the comet is moving deeper into the inner part of the solar system, according to NBC News.
People on Earth could not see the comet for some time because it was too close to the sun. But NASA says we will be able to see it again in early December.The comet will pass Earth on December 19. NASA says it is safe and will stay very far away — about 170 million miles.NASA’s new photos are added to many other pictures taken by spacecraft in the solar system.
In October, the European Space Agency (ESA) also shared photos of the same comet. These photos were taken by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter near Mars. ESA said the orbiter saw 3I/ATLAS when it was about 18.6 million miles away from the spacecraft. The ESA photos, like NASA’s images, showed the comet as a bright white dot moving through space.
FAQs
Q1. What is comet 3I/ATLAS?Comet 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet and only the third known visitor from outside our solar system.
Q2. Is comet 3I/ATLAS dangerous to Earth?
No, NASA says it will pass Earth safely on December 19 at a distance of about 170 million miles.
