Astronomers just caught a rare glimpse of an interstellar comet as it zoomed past Mars.
Images of the object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, were captured by two of the the European Space Agency’s Mars orbiters — ExoMars and Mars Express — which were able to record the comet as it approached the Red Planet on Oct. 3, according to the ESA.
Both cameras are designed to photograph the bright surface of Mars, which lies fewer than 200 miles below.
The comet was about 18.6 million miles away from the orbiters when the image was taken, according to the ESA.
In November, ESA astronomers will observe 3I/ATLAS through its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) as it makes its closest approach to the sun.
As the interstellar comet sped past Mars, astronomers recently got a unique look at it.
Two of the European Space Agency’s Mars orbiters, ExoMars and Mars Express, were able to record the comet as it approached the Red Planet in October, resulting in images of the object, which was given the name 3I/ATLAS. 3, as stated by the ESA.
Less than 200 miles below, Mars’ bright surface is intended for photography by both cameras.
The space agency stated that “observations of a relatively dim target so far away left scientists uncertain about what to expect.”.
According to a statement from Nick Thomas, the CaSSIS camera’s principal investigator, the comet is roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than the cameras’ typical targets, making the observation of 3I/ATLAS “very challenging” for them.
According to the ESA, at the time of the photo, the comet was roughly 18.5 million miles from the orbiters.
The comet’s core, which is made up of an icy-rocky nucleus and its coma—the hazy halo of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus—was visible to the cameras.
Only three interstellar objects have ever been observed entering our solar system, including the comet.
The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Río Hurtado, Chile, made the initial observation of it on July 1. It is thought to be 3 billion years older than the solar system, making it the oldest comet ever seen, according to astronomers.
According to scientists’ announcement last month, the comet is significantly larger than previously believed, most likely weighing over 33 billion tons, and has a nucleus primarily composed of water ice and carbon dioxide gas.
Solar heat and radiation are “bringing the comet to life,” according to the space agency, causing the comet to expel the dust and gas that make up its coma.
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will be used to observe 3I/ATLAS during its closest approach to the sun in November.
Researchers will keep examining data from ESA’s orbiters to ascertain the precise composition of the comet.
“ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars project scientist Colin Wilson said in a statement, “Even though our Mars orbiters continue to make impressive contributions to Mars science, it’s always extra exciting to see them responding to unexpected situations like this one.”. “After additional analysis, I’m interested to see what the data shows. “,”.
