CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This Friday, a comet originating from a different star system will pass by Mars, with a host of spacecraft poised to examine this interstellar wanderer.
The comet, referred to as 3I/Atlas, will zoom past Mars at a distance of 18 million miles (29 million kilometers), marking its closest point during its journey through the solar system’s inner region. It is moving at a staggering speed of 193,000 mph (310,000 kph).
The European Space Agency’s two satellites orbiting Mars are already capturing images of this comet, which is only the third interstellar object identified in our vicinity. Additionally, NASA’s satellite and Mars rovers are also ready to contribute to this observation mission.
The comet was detected in July and presents no danger to Earth or nearby planets. It will make its nearest approach to the sun by late October. Throughout November, ESA’s Juice spacecraft, en route to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, will continue monitoring the comet.
The comet will make its closest approach to Earth in December, passing within 167 million miles (269 million kilometers).
Findings from the Hubble Space Telescope suggest that the comet’s nucleus is no larger than 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) and could be as tiny as 1,444 feet (440 meters), according to NASA.
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