Additional Coverage:
- NASA releases new photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (nbcnews.com)
Interstellar Visitor “3I/ATLAS” Shines in New NASA Images, Government Shutdown Delays Release
**Washington D.C. ** – NASA has finally unveiled new images of comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed interstellar object to ever grace our solar system with its presence.
The highly anticipated photos, released Wednesday, depict the celestial wanderer as a brilliant point of light, often encircled by a hazy halo of gas and dust. Some images also offer a glimpse of the comet’s faint, elongated tail.
These captivating visuals were captured by various NASA spacecraft in recent weeks as 3I/ATLAS journeyed through the inner solar system. However, their public release was delayed due to the recent government shutdown, which temporarily halted operations at NASA and other federal agencies.
Comet 3I/ATLAS first made headlines in July with its detection, sparking considerable excitement among both the scientific community and amateur astronomers. The intense interest stems from the exceptionally rare opportunity to observe an object originating from beyond our galaxy at a relatively close range. Prior to 3I/ATLAS, only two other interstellar travelers had been confirmed: the cigar-shaped ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.
While the comet’s visit has, predictably, fueled some fanciful theories about it being extraterrestrial technology or an alien spacecraft, NASA has maintained that 3I/ATLAS’s characteristics are “consistent with what we expect from a comet,” with no scientific evidence to support more outlandish claims.
Scientists anticipate further opportunities to study 3I/ATLAS in the coming weeks, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of its features, including its appearance, velocity, and potential origin. The comet reached its closest approach to the sun in late October and is now continuing its trajectory through the inner solar system. Due to its recent proximity to the sun, it was not visible to ground-based telescopes but is expected to reappear in sight from Earth by early December.
On December 19, 3I/ATLAS will make a relatively close pass by Earth. NASA assures the public that the comet poses no threat to our planet, as it will maintain a safe distance of approximately 170 million miles during its rendezvous.
These newly released NASA images join an expanding collection of 3I/ATLAS photographs. Earlier in October, the European Space Agency (ESA) released images of the comet captured by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which is currently orbiting Mars.
This probe, a joint venture between ESA and Russia’s Federal Space Agency, observed 3I/ATLAS as it swept past the red planet, approximately 18.6 million miles from the orbiter. Like the new NASA visuals, the ESA photos showcased the comet as a bright white dot against the vast backdrop of space.
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- NASA releases new photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (nbcnews.com)