Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS to Disappear, Offering Rare Observation Opportunity
Comet 3I/ATLAS, one of only three known interstellar objects, will disappear from Earth's view in early October 2025 as it passes behind the Sun. It will reappear in early December 2025, offering a unique opportunity for observation.
Discovered on 1 July 2025, this comet is passing through our Solar System from the vast expanse of the Galaxy. In early October, NASA's Perseverance, Curiosity Mars rovers, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will attempt to capture images of 3I/ATLAS and gather data about its composition. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) will also observe the comet using its CaSSIS and NOMAD instruments.
As the comet approaches Mars in November 2025, Mars orbiters from both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) will observe it closely. On 3 October 2025, the closest distance between the spacecraft and the comet will be 30 million km (18.6 million miles). Mars Express, with its HRSC and spectrometers OMEGA and SPICAM, will provide detailed observations. These observations are expected to reveal more about the comet's nature and behavior near its closest approach to the Sun.
Comet 3I/ATLAS' passage offers a rare chance to study an interstellar object up close. As it disappears and reappears in our sky, multiple spacecraft will observe it, providing valuable insights into its composition and behavior. These observations will contribute to our understanding of comets and their role in the Solar System.
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