Post by : Badri Ariffin

Astronomers were treated to a captivating event as interstellar comet 3I/Atlas executed a swift passage through our solar system. First detected this summer, 3I/Atlas is just the third confirmed celestial object from another star to visit our cosmic realm, igniting excitement among scientists globally.

NASA unveiled stunning images of the comet on Wednesday, taken as it gracefully traversed past Mars. The red planet's position provided a unique perspective, as the comet came within 18 million miles (29 million kilometers) of it. The images reveal a hazy white shape, a beautiful hint of the enigma surrounding interstellar space.

Additionally, the European Space Agency's Mars orbiters contributed to the observations, enriching the ongoing data collection. Other NASA instruments, including the Webb Space Telescope, are set to keep an eye on the comet as it accelerates away toward its closest approach to Earth.

At this moment, 3I/Atlas is approximately 190 million miles (307 million kilometers) distant from Earth. Skywatchers armed with binoculars or a small telescope can catch a glimpse of it in the early morning sky. Its nearest encounter with our planet is anticipated for mid-December, when it will come within 167 million miles (269 million kilometers) before disappearing into the vast expanse of interstellar space, never to return.

This fleeting journey offers a precious chance to examine a fragment from another star system—a peek into the rich diversity and dynamics of our galaxy. As it continues its race into the unknown, astronomers are tracking its trajectory, eager to uncover clues about the origins and make-up of objects emerging from beyond our solar system.

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