NASA is finally studying the origin of 3I/ATLAS
After a long time Shutting down the US government, NASA finally began its non-essential work back up. It started with a bang: The agency called a press conference to show the so-far-preserved images of the 3I/ATLAS interstellar object. NASA scientists also confirmed that 3I/ATLAS is in fact a comet, contrary to speculation about alien technology flooding the Internet.
During the broadcast, a panel of scientists presented the results of observations obtained by various NASA missions across different points in the 3I/ATLAS journey. Each has provided insights into the infrared, visible, ultraviolet and gamma-ray spectrum, providing a better understanding of the true nature of 3I/ATLAS.
Among the most relevant data are images taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and MAVEN satellites, as well as those from the Psyche and Lucy space probes, and even from the SOHO solar probe. The scientists explained that all data will be publicly available for anyone to investigate.
3I/ATLAS images shared by NASA
SOHO: Image from the Sun Observing Probe
This orange-colored image comes from NASA. The Sun-observing SOHO probe captured 3I/ATLAS between October 15 and 26. According to the agency, this photo was a surprise. They did not expect that the object could be seen from a distance of 358 million kilometers.
MRO: One of the best close-ups of 3I/ATLAS
One of the most anticipated images of the comet was the one obtained by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite in October, when 3I/ATLAS came within “only” 29 million kilometers. NASA finally shared it. The image shows the frozen object surrounded by a cloud of distinctive dust ejected as the comet approaches the sun.
Stereo: Image confirming the shape of 3I/ATLAS
The STEREO Observatory analyzes the behavior of the Sun. To get at least one coherent image of the comet, scientists had to stitch together several images taken at different exposures. Eventually, the interstellar object was revealed as a bright orb against a noisy background.
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MAVEN: A glimpse of a hydrogen comet
MAVEN is a Mars orbiter. Its lens captured 3I/ATLAS’s ultraviolet spectrum image before it made its closest approach to the red planet. Shows hydrogen emitted from various sources. The part on the left belongs to the comet’s signature.
Punch: Another solar glimpse
PUNCH is a polarimeter that monitors the Sun’s corona and heliosphere. However, its lensing allowed the comet’s tail to be seen for weeks from October to September. In this animation, each frame represents an everyday snapshot, while the lines in the background are produced by the movement of the stars.
On December 19, 2025, the comet will reach its closest point to Earth. It will pass at a completely safe distance: about 267 million kilometers. To put that into perspective, it is about 700 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon, and 1.8 times the distance between our planet and the Sun. This flight will have no effect on the ground.
Both NASA and other space agencies are expected to begin additional observing campaigns to capture better images and relevant information about the third confirmed stellar object in history.
This story originally appeared on Wired In Spanish It was translated from Spanish.