NASA to Release Images of Comet 3I/ATLAS During Unusual Breakup Event
WASHINGTON – NASA is preparing to share a new set of images revealing the ongoing disintegration of comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by spacecraft and ground-based telescopes. The release, scheduled for a broadcast on NASA+, the NASA Live website, YouTube, and the NASA app, will showcase observations of the comet as it journeys through the inner solar system following a dramatic brightening and subsequent fragmentation.
While the comet was too close to the Sun to be observed from Earth during its perihelion, instruments orbiting Mars – including those aboard ESA’s ExoMars and Mars Express – successfully captured the event. This provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study a comet’s behavior with complementary instruments and from multiple perspectives.As NASA noted, ”Assets within NASA’s science missions give the United States the unique capability to observe 3I/ATLAS almost the entire time it passes through our celestial neighborhood.”
3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet not previously seen, has captivated astronomers with its unexpected activity. The comet’s closest approach to Earth will occur on December 19, when it will be approximately 270 million kilometers (170 million miles) away, offering prime viewing opportunities for earth-based telescopes. The upcoming NASA broadcast will feature the latest findings and imagery of this rare celestial visitor.
