An Interstellar Visitor Lights Up the Red Planet's Sky
ESA's Mars orbiters have observed comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third interstellar comet ever discovered.
The faint, distant object revealed a glowing coma as it was heated by the Sun. Researchers are still studying the data to understand its makeup and origins.
This rare event also foreshadows future missions like the Comet Interceptor, designed to chase such elusive visitors.
- Between October 1 and 7, ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express spacecraft turned their instruments toward interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed near Mars.
- Of all ESA spacecraft, the two Mars orbiters had the best view of this rare visitor.
- During its closest approach to the Red Planet on October 3, the comet was about 30 million km away.
Both orbiters used their onboard cameras to track the comet's motion.
Author's summary: Comet 3I/ATLAS observed by ESA's Mars orbiters.