SMRTR Science & EngineeringOct 7, 2025Live Science

'Closest view' yet of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by Mars orbiter

SMRTR summary

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS made its closest approach to Mars on October 3rd while traveling at 130,000 mph through our solar system. ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter captured images from 18.6 million miles away, creating an animated sequence showing the comet as a bright, fuzzy dot descending through space. The comet, estimated to be 3-7 miles wide and the largest confirmed interstellar object yet discovered, will make its closest approach to the sun on October 30th before exiting our solar system forever after a Jupiter flyby in 2026.

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