European Space Agency Observes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Near Mars

In an exciting scientific development, the European Space Agency has observed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed near Mars. This observation was conducted by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which captured images of the comet from 30 million kilometers away using the CaSSIS color and stereo surface imaging system.

Discovery of Comet 3I/ATLAS

The comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered last July by the ATLAS asteroid impact early warning system telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. This comet is the third interstellar object discovered in our solar system, following 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.

Astronomers are studying these mysterious celestial bodies to understand their origins and compositions, as they are believed to carry information from distant and enigmatic regions of the universe.

Challenges in Observing 3I/ATLAS

Capturing images of the comet posed a significant challenge for the instruments used, as the comet is much fainter compared to typical targets. Nick Thomas, the principal investigator of the CaSSIS system, explained that the comet was 10,000 to 100,000 times less bright than usual targets.

Several five-second exposures were stacked to reveal details of the comet, reflecting the considerable efforts made by scientific teams to obtain accurate data on this transient comet.

The Importance of Studying Interstellar Comets

Interstellar comets hold secrets about the formation of worlds beyond our solar system. According to European Space Agency officials, these objects are truly peculiar and provide clues about planet formation in distant and unknown areas.

In the case of comet 3I/ATLAS, evidence suggests that its origin dates back to a time perhaps three billion years before the formation of our solar system, making it the oldest comet observed so far.

Future Operations to Observe the Comet

Other spacecraft are expected to continue monitoring comet 3I/ATLAS in the coming months, including the European Space Agency’s JUICE probe, which is currently headed towards Jupiter.

JUICE will begin its search for the comet on November 2, just three days after its closest approach to the sun, providing a good opportunity to observe the comet more clearly, even from a distance greater than Mars.

Conclusion

Observing comet 3I/ATLAS presents a unique scientific opportunity to study celestial bodies from outside our solar system. Through these efforts, scientists can gain deeper insights into the composition and origins of the universe. This type of research is essential for a broader and deeper understanding of the history and evolution of our solar system and the distant worlds beyond it.