Scientists have spotted the first clear sign of water from an interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, offering new clues to the chemistry of other planetary systems.
This newly discovered comet could soon glow bright enough for the naked eye as it sweeps through October's morning and evening skies.
A European Mars probe witnessed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS' Red Planet flyby on Oct. 3, snapping imagery of the interloper from just 19 million miles (30 million kilometers) away.
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover may have captured an image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS streaking across the sky above the Red Planet.
ESA is making use of spacecraft originally dedicated to its Mars and Jupiter missions to track comet 3I/ATLAS as it continues its journey through our solar system
Astronomers say that mysterious interstellar visitors like 'Oumuamua and 3I/ATLAS are the most common large bodies in the Milky Way — and our best chance to study other planetary systems.
This quiz invites you to chase comets through time and space, from ancient omens to modern scientific marvels.
The comet will come closest to Earth on Oct. 20. There's hope that it may become bright enough to glimpse with the naked eye.
The interstellar visitor appears to have a lot in common with its solar system brethren.
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will zoom past Mars in October 2025, and ESA's Mars orbiters will attempt to image and analyze the object during the encounter.
