What's Happening?
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object, has been observed by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and ESA's JUICE spacecraft. New images reveal multiple tails and suggest the presence
of cryovolcanoes on its surface. The comet, discovered in July 2025, is moving too fast to be gravitationally bound to the Sun. It is rich in carbon dioxide and other volatiles, differing from typical Solar System comets. The comet's trajectory poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach expected on December 19, 2025.
Why It's Important?
3I/ATLAS offers a rare opportunity to study the composition and behavior of an interstellar object. Its unique characteristics, such as potential cryovolcanism, provide insights into the diversity of cometary bodies and the processes that occur in different star systems. The study of 3I/ATLAS could enhance understanding of planetary formation and the distribution of volatiles in the galaxy. Additionally, it serves as a test case for planetary defense strategies and the capabilities of current space observation technologies.
