NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have presented new findings from their observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. This rare celestial visitor, traveling at a remarkable speed of 130,000 miles per hour, is only the third known interstellar object identified in our solar system's vicinity. Utilizing the 1.2-meter telescope located at Mount Abu, ISRO has provided detailed ground-based images that complement NASA's extensive data collection from various spacecraft and observatories.
On November 19, ISRO shared high-resolution imagery highlighting the comet's coma—a bright, circular halo of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus—gathered between November 12 and 15. This remarkable observation revealed chemical emissions, including CN, C₂, and C₃.
NASA's contributions included critical data from multiple spacecraft, including the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which captured some of the closest images of the comet when it was approximately 19 million miles away. Using its HiRISE camera, MRO provided an unprecedented view of the comet. Furthermore, NASA's MAVEN orbiter conducted ultraviolet observations that detected a hydrogen gas halo, signaling the presence of sublimating water-ice due to sunlight exposure.
The Perseverance rover, positioned on Mars, recorded faint images of the comet, and solar-observing missions such as STEREO, SOHO, and the PUNCH project tracked its trajectory as it skimmed past the Sun. These missions employed advanced imaging techniques to reveal hidden features in the comet's tail. Additionally, the Lucy and Psyche spacecraft contributed observations to refine measurements of the comet's coma and orbital characteristics.
3I/ATLAS is a unique object that provides an exceptional opportunity to study materials from beyond our solar system, as it originates from areas shaped by distinct stellar environments, unlike typical comets that are formed within the solar system's Oort Cloud. The extensive collaborative efforts of NASA and ISRO mark a significant milestone in understanding these extraordinary interstellar phenomena.