Tracking the Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

The European Space Agency and NASA have successfully tracked the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it continues its journey through our solar system using spacecraft designed for missions related to Mars and Jupiter. This unique event offers scientists a rare opportunity to study the composition of this comet and compare it with other comets that originated within our solar system.

Discovery of Comet 3I/ATLAS

Comet 3I/ATLAS was first discovered in July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, becoming the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system. Its origin outside the solar system was identified by its unusual trajectory and a velocity reaching approximately 130,000 miles per hour.

The comet remains visible to ground-based telescopes until September 2025, before its path takes it near the sun, rendering it invisible from Earth. This presents a challenge for scientists aiming to study the comet’s size, composition, and surface activity.

The Role of Spacecraft in Monitoring the Comet

Spacecraft from the European Space Agency and NASA are monitoring the comet from their positions in the solar system, allowing them to observe it even after it becomes invisible from Earth. These spacecraft include Mars Express and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which will observe the comet as it passes near Mars.

Additionally, NASA’s Psyche mission, currently en route to asteroid 16 Psyche, will have the opportunity to glimpse the comet. These observations will aid scientists in gaining a better understanding of the comet’s composition and activity.

The Importance of Astronomical Observation of the Comet

Astronomical observations of comet 3I/ATLAS during its approach to the sun are expected to provide valuable data on its chemical composition and peak activity. This information will reveal the comet’s true makeup and how it interacts with the heat from solar radiation.

During this period, the comet’s nucleus will be surrounded by a glowing halo of gas and dust, with a long tail streaming behind it. This data will help scientists obtain a complete chemical fingerprint of the comet.

Conclusion

Comet 3I/ATLAS represents a rare opportunity for scientists to study an interstellar comet and compare it with comets that originated in our solar system. Whether the chemical composition is similar or different, these observations will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of interstellar comets and the formation of planetary systems across the galaxy.