Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Survives Sun Flyby, Reveals Secrets
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed object from beyond our solar system to be observed passing through, has survived its close encounter with the sun and delivered valuable scientific data in the process. Astronomers trained telescopes on the comet as solar heat vaporized surface material, revealing clues about its chemical makeup and the distant star system where it originated.
The comet's survival was not guaranteed — many comets break apart under the intense heat and gravitational stress of a close solar passage. But 3I/ATLAS held together, allowing extended observations that are still being analyzed. Early results suggest the comet's composition shares some similarities with comets native to our own solar system but also contains distinct signatures that point to formation in a very different environment. As the comet continues its journey back into interstellar space, the data it provided will help scientists understand the diversity of planetary systems throughout the galaxy.
The comet's survival was not guaranteed — many comets break apart under the intense heat and gravitational stress of a close solar passage. But 3I/ATLAS held together, allowing extended observations that are still being analyzed. Early results suggest the comet's composition shares some similarities with comets native to our own solar system but also contains distinct signatures that point to formation in a very different environment. As the comet continues its journey back into interstellar space, the data it provided will help scientists understand the diversity of planetary systems throughout the galaxy.