An Interstellar Visitor Lights Up the Red Planet's Sky
ESA's Mars orbiters have observed comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar comet ever discovered.
The faint, distant object revealed a glowing coma as it was heated by the Sun. Researchers are still studying the data to understand its makeup and origins.
Between October 1 and 7, ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express spacecraft turned their instruments toward interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed near Mars.
During its closest approach to the Red Planet on October 3, the comet was about 30 million km away. Both orbiters used their onboard cameras to track the comet's motion.
This rare event also foreshadows future missions like the Comet Interceptor, designed to chase such elusive visitors.
Author's summary: ESA observes interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS near Mars.