Astronomers reveal stunning fresh photos of interstellar comet 3I ATLAS, captured by multiple leading observatories globally

Astronomers have unveiled dazzling new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, offering a breathtaking glimpse into this rare visitor from beyond our Solar System. Captured by top-notch observatories around the globe, these photos showcase a cosmic traveler unlike any other. The sight of 3I/ATLAS, with its multiple jets and vivid coma, has astronomy enthusiasts buzzing worldwide!

Fresh images reveal the extraordinary features of comet 3I/ATLAS

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile. Since then, scientists have been racing to capture its fleeting passage through our cosmic backyard. The newest photos, taken with cutting-edge instruments like the Celestron EdgeHD 800 telescope and the Gemini North telescope, reveal intricate details of the comet’s icy heart and glowing gas envelope.

One of the most striking observations came from Satoru Murata in New Mexico, who photographed the comet on November 16, 2025. His images show three distinct jets streaming toward the Sun, along with a curious anti-tail extending in the opposite direction. Capturing the comet near a thin crescent Moon and the distant galaxy NGC 4691 added an almost magical touch—like the object truly hails from a faraway world!

3I/ATLAS’s journey through the Solar System

This remarkable comet came closest to the Sun on October 30, 2025. Its orbit is unusually extreme, unlike anything recorded before in our Solar System. 3I/ATLAS is not just any comet; it’s the third known interstellar visitor and the oldest comet ever observed, thought to have formed around a star far beyond our neighborhood.

Tracking its rapid movement posed a challenge. Due to the comet’s velocity, stars appeared as streaks during long exposures, but telescope teams skillfully adjusted their methods to fix the stars in the final processed images. The comet’s passage through the inner Solar System sparked global headlines and scientific curiosity alike.

Spacecraft perspectives enrich our cosmic outlook

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, even before arriving at Jupiter, managed to snap unique images of 3I/ATLAS from afar. The spacecraft’s ultraviolet imagery showed the coma’s gas glowing in blues and greens, with the dusty parts glowing red. These seven hours of observations, conducted about 164 million kilometers from the comet, provide a vivid multi-wavelength view of its makeup.

Behind the scenes, NASA ingeniously repurposed Europa Clipper’s instruments, initially designed for Europa moon study, to catch this interstellar visitor in action. It’s like using a fine wine glass not just for vino, but for an impromptu tasting of the stars. This adds a dynamic layer to humanity’s understanding of cosmic chemistry and materials from other star systems.

Mysteries spark intrigue around comet 3I/ATLAS

The comet’s unusual behavior piqued scientists’ curiosity. Its path slightly off predicted orbit and dramatic color change from red to deep blue left room for wild speculations. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggested it might be evidence of some technological feature onboard—though the consensus remains firmly grounded in natural explanations.

Even the world’s largest radio telescope, the Green Bank Telescope, searched the comet for any signs of alien tech or “technosignatures” in December 2025 but found nothing. Science holds on to solid proof before venturing into such speculative realms, patiently following 3I/ATLAS until it completes its brief, spectacular visit.

The final significant close encounter with our Solar System will be the comet’s flyby of Jupiter in March 2026, before it speeds away, disappearing into the depths of space forever. This farewell underscores the comet’s fleeting nature and the privilege of capturing its cosmic journey through collaborative global astronomy.

Fiona Godlee

At 38, I am a proud and passionate geek. My world revolves around comics, the latest cult series, and everything that makes pop culture tick. On this blog, I open the doors to my ‘lair’ to share my top picks, my reviews, and my life as a collector