NASA Unveils Stunning Hubble Images of Comet 3I/ATLAS Ahead of December Viewings

NASA has released remarkable new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, providing a detailed look at the object after its close approach to the Sun in late October. Captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 30, 2023, these images confirm that the comet remains active as it travels back into deep space. Astronomers are preparing for a series of viewing opportunities in mid-December, including a particularly close approach to Earth on December 19.

As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey away from the Sun, it is currently located hundreds of millions of kilometers from Earth and is not visible to the naked eye. However, equipped amateur astronomers will have the chance to observe the comet through telescopes during the upcoming viewing windows. The closest approach to Earth will provide an optimal opportunity for observation and data collection.

Images captured by Hubble reveal that 3I/ATLAS is still emitting trails of gas and dust, with the stars behind the comet appearing elongated due to its rapid motion during the capture. The European Space Agency (ESA) also contributed to the imaging of 3I/ATLAS, utilizing its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) to take images on November 2, shortly after the comet’s closest approach to the Sun.

The ESA reports that the new imagery showcases not only the comet’s glowing halo of gas, known as its coma, but also hints at two distinct tails. An ESA spokesperson noted, “The comet’s ‘plasma tail’—composed of electrically charged gas—extends toward the top of the frame, while a fainter ‘dust tail’ of tiny solid particles can be seen stretching to the lower left.”

Recent observations have revealed that 3I/ATLAS increases its production of methanol as it nears the Sun. Researchers at the Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array (ALMA) detected significant amounts of methanol and hydrogen cyanide produced by the comet. Methanol was observed on four occasions between August 28 and October 1, 2023, while hydrogen cyanide was detected on September 12 and September 15.

The ratio of methanol to hydrogen cyanide is particularly significant, providing insights into the comet’s origins. Avi Loeb, a physicist from Harvard, pointed out that 3I/ATLAS exhibits one of the highest methanol-to-hydrogen cyanide ratios ever recorded, second only to that of comet C/2016 R2. This high ratio suggests that the comet may have formed in a cold, carbon-rich environment, which contrasts sharply with the conditions that created most comets within our Solar System.

The unique chemical signature of 3I/ATLAS allows astronomers to study the conditions of another star’s protoplanetary disk, enabling a form of remote geology from light-years away. By analysing the outgassing of the comet, scientists can gather data that may reshape our understanding of planetary system formation, potentially offering clues about the building blocks of life.

As anticipation builds for the December viewing opportunities, the scientific community remains excited about the potential discoveries that 3I/ATLAS may reveal. The data collected during this period will undoubtedly contribute to our growing knowledge of these fascinating interstellar travelers.