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NASA to Share Comet 3I/ATLAS Images From Spacecraft, Telescopes

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured stunning imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, showcasing a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust emanating from its icy nucleus. This remarkable image, taken on July 21, 2025, when the comet was approximately 277 million miles from Earth, highlights the comet’s unique characteristics as it traverses our solar system. Discovered by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) observatory on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is only the third known object to enter our solar system from interstellar space, following in the footsteps of the famous ‘Oumuamua and comet 2I/Borisov. Although the comet poses no threat to Earth—its closest approach will be at a safe distance of 170 million miles—it did come within 19 million miles of Mars in early October, providing a fascinating opportunity for observation.

To share these breathtaking findings, NASA is hosting a live event on November 19, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST from its Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The event will feature a panel of experts, including NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya and Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, who will discuss the comet’s journey and the scientific insights gained from its observation. The event will be accessible to the public via multiple platforms, including NASA+, the NASA app, and YouTube, allowing viewers to engage directly with the scientists by submitting questions using the hashtag #AskNASA. This initiative underscores NASA’s commitment to public engagement and education, inviting audiences to learn more about the mysteries of our solar system and the significance of interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS.

NASA’s extensive array of scientific instruments, both on spacecraft and ground-based observatories, enables continuous observation of 3I/ATLAS as it passes through our celestial neighborhood. This multifaceted approach allows scientists to study the comet’s behavior from various perspectives, enhancing our understanding of its composition and dynamics. As we delve deeper into the cosmos, the study of interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS not only enriches our knowledge of the origins of our solar system but also provides valuable insights into the building blocks of planetary systems beyond our own. For those interested in following the comet’s journey or learning more, additional information is available on NASA’s dedicated webpage.