Updated 7 August 2025 at 21:45 IST
Hubble Space Telescope Takes Best Picture Yet Of Comet Visiting From Another Solar System
The comet called 3I-Atlas was discovered last month by a telescope in Chile and is only the third known interstellar object to pass our way. It, in no way, poses any threat to Earth.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the best picture of a high-speed comet visiting our solar system from another star.
NASA and the European Space Agency released the latest photos Thursday.
The comet called 3I-Atlas was discovered last month by a telescope in Chile and is only the third known interstellar object to pass our way. It, in no way, poses any threat to Earth.
Astronomers originally estimated the size of its icy core at several miles (tens of kilometers) across, but Hubble’s observations have narrowed it down to no more than 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers). It could even be as small as 1,000 feet (320 meters), according to scientists, reported Associated Press.
The comet is hurtling our way at 130,000 mph (209,000 kph), but will veer closer to Mars than Earth, keeping a safe distance from both. It was 277 million miles (446 million kilometers) away when photographed by Hubble a couple weeks ago. The orbiting telescope revealed a teardrop-shaped plume of dust around the nucleus as well as traces of a dusty tail, as per a report by Associated Press.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
Published By : Ankita Paul
Published On: 7 August 2025 at 21:45 IST