NASA to release New Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Today
WASHINGTON – NASA will unveil unprecedented images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS today, November 19, during a live-streamed news conference. The images, captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s HiRISE camera in the days surrounding the comet’s recent close approach to Mars, will be shared alongside observations from Earth-based telescopes.
Discovered in late June and confirmed as an interstellar object in early July, 3I/ATLAS is only the third such visitor ever detected originating from outside our solar system. Scientists have been intensely studying the comet to learn more about its composition and origins, and data from the Mars orbiter, combined with Earth telescope observations, has already allowed them to considerably narrow down its path through our solar system.
The upcoming news conference will detail these findings and showcase the newly released imagery. The live stream will be available on NASA’s website, YouTube, and Amazon Prime. The public is encouraged to submit questions via the hashtag #AskNASA for potential answers during the broadcast.
3I/ATLAS is currently traveling toward its closest approach to Earth next month.Further observations are planned from spacecraft near Jupiter early next year as the comet exits our solar system, offering continued opportunities to unravel the mysteries surrounding this rare interstellar traveler and the unknown star system from which it came.
