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NASA Eyes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS for Potential Juno Probe Rendezvous
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Rio hurtado, Chile – Astronomers have confirmed the presence of a third interstellar object within our solar system, designated 3I/ATLAS. Discovered July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Hawaii, the comet is now the focus of intense study and a potential target for an unprecedented mission involving NASA’s Juno spacecraft.
The Discovery of 3I/ATLAS
The detection of 3I/ATLAS follows the historic 2017 discovery of ‘Oumuamua, the first confirmed interstellar object, and the 2019 sighting of comet 2I/Borisov. These objects, originating outside our sun’s gravitational influence, offer a unique window into the composition and formation of planetary systems around other stars. The Pan-STARRS Observatory in Hawaii first identified ‘Oumuamua, marking a turning point in our understanding of interstellar visitors.
Initial observations suggest 3I/ATLAS is a comet, distinguished by its trajectory and composition.The object’s arrival has already spurred discussions about future missions designed to intercept and study these rare interstellar travelers. Proposed concepts include Project Lyra, the Interstellar Object Explorer (IOE), and the European Space Agency’s Comet Interceptor.
A Potential Rendezvous with juno
A recent study, led by Harvard University’s Professor Abraham Loeb, proposes an innovative approach to studying 3I/ATLAS. The research suggests that NASA’s Juno probe, currently orbiting Jupiter, could be redirected to intercept the comet as it approaches the gas giant in March 2026. This maneuver would leverage a Jupiter Oberth Maneuver, utilizing the planet’s gravity to alter Juno‘s trajectory.
Loeb, director of the Institute for Theory and Computation and the Galileo project at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, collaborated with Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl of the UK-based Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is) on the proposal. Their findings, currently under review by The Astrophysical Journal Letters, detail the necessary thrust and timing for a successful intercept.
According to Loeb, “we show that applying a thrust of 2.675 kilometers per second on September 14th,2025,can bring the Juno spacecraft from its orbit around Jupiter to intercept the path of 3I/ATLAS.” He further noted that the comet’s brightness suggests a diameter of approximately 20 kilometers, raising the intriguing possibility that it could be an artificially constructed object.
Did you Know?
The detection of 3I/ATLAS required a comprehensive survey of the sky over five years by the ATLAS telescope, highlighting the rarity of these interstellar visitors.
The Science Behind the Intercept
The proposed intercept would allow Juno‘s suite of instruments – including its near-infrared spectrometer, magnetometer, and UV spectrograph – to gather crucial data about 3I/ATLAS’s composition and origin. Analyzing this data could provide insights into the conditions present in the comet’s parent star system. This approach offers a unique opportunity to study interstellar material without the need for a dedicated, long-duration mission.
Hibberd and Crowl have extensive experience in interstellar object research. Hibberd, alongside Marshall eubanks, developed Project Lyra, a concept for intercepting interstellar objects using lightsail technology. Crowl previously contributed to Project Icarus, a design study for an interstellar probe.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 3I/ATLAS Discovery | July 1, 2025 |
| Proposed Juno Thrust Application | September 14, 2025 |
| 3I/ATLAS Closest Approach to Jupiter | March 16, 2026 |
Speculation and Scientific Inquiry
Loeb’s previous work on ‘Oumuamua, detailed in his 2018 paper “Could Solar Radiation Pressure Explain ‘Oumuamua’s Peculiar Acceleration?“, sparked debate by suggesting the object might be an extraterrestrial spacecraft. He continues to explore the possibility that 3I/ATLAS could also be artificial, prompting further investigation into its characteristics.
Recent Hubble Space Telescope images indicate that 3I/ATLAS’s nucleus is less than 2.8 kilometers in diameter, potentially diminishing the likelihood of an artificial origin. Though, the scientific community remains open to all possibilities.
Pro Tip:
Understanding the composition of interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS can provide valuable clues about the building blocks of planetary systems beyond our own.
As 3I/ATLAS approaches the sun and begins to sublimate, releasing gases, scientists anticipate gaining further insights into its composition. The potential intercept by Juno represents a unique opportunity to study an interstellar object up close, offering a wealth of data that could revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
What mysteries do you think 3I/ATLAS holds? And how might studying interstellar objects change our understanding of life beyond Earth?
The study of interstellar objects is a rapidly evolving field.The discoveries of ‘Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and now 3I/ATLAS demonstrate that our solar system is not isolated, and that objects from other star systems occasionally pass through. Future advancements in telescope technology and spacecraft propulsion will undoubtedly lead to the detection of more interstellar visitors, providing scientists with even more opportunities to unravel the secrets of the cosmos. The ongoing advancement of missions like Comet Interceptor and the potential repurposing of existing probes like juno signal a growing commitment to exploring these enigmatic objects.
Frequently Asked Questions about 3I/ATLAS
- What is 3I/ATLAS? 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet-an object originating from outside our solar system-discovered in July 2025.
- How was 3I/ATLAS discovered? It was detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Hawaii.
- Why is 3I/ATLAS significant? it represents a rare opportunity to study material from another star system without waiting for an interstellar spacecraft to reach us.
- Could 3I/ATLAS be an alien spacecraft? While a remote possibility, scientists are investigating all potential explanations for its characteristics.
- What is the role of the Juno probe? NASA is considering redirecting the Juno spacecraft to intercept 3I/ATLAS as it passes jupiter in 2026.
- what instruments will be used to study 3I/ATLAS? Juno’s suite of instruments, including spectrometers, magnetometers, and cameras, will be used to analyze the comet’s composition and structure.
We’re excited to follow this developing story and share the latest insights with you. Please share this article with your network, leave a comment with your thoughts, and subscribe to our newsletter for more groundbreaking space news!
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