The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled unprecedented details about 3I-Atlas, a rare interstellar comet passing through our solar system. NASA and the European Space Agency released the images on Thursday, offering scientists and space enthusiasts a closer look at this cosmic visitor from beyond our stellar neighborhood.
A Celestial Wanderer’s Journey
Discovered in April by a Chilean telescope, 3I-Atlas marks only the third confirmed interstellar object observed near Earth. Hubble’s latest data revised earlier size estimates of its icy core, now believed to range between 320 meters and 5.6 kilometers. While its nucleus remains shrouded in dust, the telescope captured a teardrop-shaped plume and faint tail—clues to its composition and behavior.
Speed and Safety
Traveling at 209,000 km/h, the comet will pass closer to Mars than Earth, maintaining a safe 446-million-kilometer distance during Hubble’s observation. “These images help us understand how objects form in other star systems,” a NASA representative noted, emphasizing the scientific value of this fleeting encounter.
Global Implications
The discovery highlights Asia’s growing role in space research, with observatories across the continent contributing to interstellar studies. For investors, it underscores opportunities in astronomy-related technologies, while academics gain new data to refine models of planetary formation.
