On November 19, NASA will showcase new images of the comet 3I/ATLAS, which originated from the far reaches of interstellar space. First identified by the ATLAS observatory in July, this celestial body has been confirmed as the third interstellar object detected within our solar system. The announcement of the comet’s discovery has sparked excitement among scientists and the public alike.
The live event hosted by NASA is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, at 3 p.m. ET, taking place at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. During this session, NASA will present imagery collected from various spacecraft and telescopes. Experts will discuss the insights these images provide about the comet, emphasizing NASA’s commitment to transparent scientific communication.
Notably, 3I/ATLAS recently made a close pass by Mars, coming within a distance of approximately 19 million miles. Fortunately, its trajectory poses no danger to Earth, as it is projected to maintain a distance of about 170 million miles throughout its journey. Observations of 3I/ATLAS play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of interstellar objects and their movements, contributing to our knowledge of the origins of foreign cosmic materials.
The significance of interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS is profound. These objects carry matter that has formed outside our solar system, allowing scientists to compare different cosmic chemical compositions. Studying their behavior offers new insights into comet structure and aids in refining models regarding the migration of materials across galaxies. As a result, these findings can improve the predictions concerning future interstellar engagements with our solar system.
To maximize the scope of their research, NASA will employ a multi-mission observing strategy that utilizes data from both space and ground-based observatories. This multifaceted approach enables scientists to capture images from various scientific perspectives and enhances the clarity of the comet's activities over time. It ensures an in-depth analysis of the behavior of the interstellar object, paving the way for further advancements in astro-scientific research.