The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is making its way toward its closest approach to the sun, set to occur on October 29. This will mark a significant moment in its journey as it travels through the inner solar system, heading towards Mars.
Currently, while another comet, Comet Lemmon, captivates observers with its naked-eye visibility, 3I/ATLAS remains obscured on the opposite side of the sun. Most astronomers believe this comet is a visitor from a distant star system, making it only the third known interstellar object detected within our solar system. Notably, it is the largest and fastest, and is likely the oldest interstellar object ever observed.
Confirmed by NASA in early July, 3I/ATLAS is already making significant headway in its solar system tour. The comet is anticipated to reach perihelion this Wednesday, coming within 1.4 astronomical units, or about 130 million miles (210 million kilometers) of the sun.
As it approaches perihelion, the radiation from the sun will heat the icy nucleus of the comet, triggering geysers of gas and dust. This process will create a glowing coma around the comet, with solar wind pushing material into a long tail that extends away from the sun. The image captured on August 27 by the International Gemini Observatory in Chile provides a clear view of 3I/ATLAS as it traverses the cosmos.
In the days following perihelion, 3I/ATLAS is expected to release gas at an accelerated rate, potentially making it appear both larger and brighter when it becomes visible to telescopes again in early November. As it continues its trajectory out of our solar system, ground-based and orbital instruments, as well as those en route to Jupiter, will closely monitor its activity, enhancing its status as a notable subject of astronomical interest.
Studying this interstellar comet with a variety of astronomical tools could uncover valuable insights about the outer regions of our galaxy and its enigmatic past. Until then, observers can anticipate the wealth of cosmic knowledge that awaits just beyond our sun.
For more stunning images from space, visit our Space Photo of the Week archives.
