We’ve newly shared the freshest photos of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by eight distinct spacecraft, satellites, and telescopes

Space enthusiasts are buzzing! NASA has recently unveiled stunning new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Captured by eight different spacecraft, satellites, and telescopes earlier this fall, these photos offer rare glimpses at a visitor from beyond our solar system.

This cosmic guest has been closely observed by NASA’s fleet while it zoomed through our celestial neighborhood. The effort combined breakthroughs in planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics.

The interstellar comet’s passage is a banquet for astronomers and dreamers alike, revealing secrets that only such a fleeting visitor can share.

New images reveal comet 3I/ATLAS in unmatched detail

Imaging 3I/ATLAS wasn’t a walk in the park. This comet whizzed by at astonishing speed, and all NASA’s closest spacecraft still hovered millions of miles away. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured some of the clearest snaps on October 2, 2025, when the comet was about 19 million miles from the orbiter.

Unlike scenic Martian surface shots where every grain of sand pops out, 3I/ATLAS appears as a fuzzy ball — its dusty coma glowing faintly in the vast darkness. Still, these images let scientists start to size up the comet’s core and even characterize the dust particles floating around it.

Thanks to clever techniques like stacking multiple exposures, engineers overcame numerous challenges to track this fast-moving, dim visitor. The result is a treasure trove that marks one of the rarest interstellar shows we’ve had so close.

Eight satellites and spacecraft combine forces for a cosmic portrait

NASA’s approach was nothing short of ambitious. Starting early fall, a dozen instruments took turns observing 3I/ATLAS on its sunward journey. The Psyche spacecraft, en route to a metal-rich asteroid, was among the first to photograph it from 33 million miles away, helping zero in on the comet’s trajectory.

Then the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spotted it slipping behind the sun when Earth-based telescopes couldn’t. The STEREO mission captured 3I/ATLAS in stunning colorized images, revealing a bright, fuzzy orb shimmering against the solar backdrop.

Not to be outdone, the Lucy spacecraft took shots from 240 million miles away, catching the comet backlit by the sun. Its tail stretched elegantly, glowing faintly, a surreal cosmic brushstroke!

Martian orbiters join the interstellar spectacle

Mars wasn’t just a stopover for this interstellar visitor. Three NASA assets around the Red Planet contributed some of the most scientifically rich data yet. The MAVEN orbiter’s ultraviolet imaging helped identify hydrogen in the comet’s atmosphere, revealing ices evaporating under the sun’s warmth.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter pinpointed the comet’s bright core, refining size estimates and dust particle analysis. Meanwhile, Perseverance rover, perched on the Martian surface, managed a remarkable faint glimpse, catching 3I/ATLAS as a subtle smudge in the pink Martian sky.

Such surface-level observations of an interstellar object are a first and a thrilling landmark in space exploration!

Heliophysics missions reveal new frontiers in comet observation

NASA’s heliophysics fleet played a starring role too. The PUNCH mission caught 3I/ATLAS with its elongated tail brightening as it neared the Sun. SOHO and Parker Solar Probe, usually devoted to solar studies, surprised scientists by glimpsing the comet despite overwhelming solar glare.

This marked a first — NASA’s heliophysics missions intentionally observing an object from outside our solar system. Such cross-disciplinary teamwork broadens the scientific horizon and deepens insight into cosmic visitors.

Scientists are eager to see what the James Webb Space Telescope will capture next. Its powerful eyes promise to trail 3I/ATLAS even further, peeling back layers on this interstellar ‘frozen fossil’.

The magic of 3I/ATLAS: a frozen visitor with secrets to share

3I/ATLAS isn’t just a lonely chunk of ice wandering space — it’s a storyteller. As the comet warmed near the Sun, it “woke up,” releasing gases and particles that unveil its ancient origins. This rare interaction allows scientists to decode its composition and history.

According to NASA officials, each snapshot helps unlock mysteries not only about this comet but also about the vastness beyond our solar system. Every new piece of data paints a more vivid picture of the universe’s grand design.

So far, studying 3I/ATLAS has been a stroke of luck and a lesson in cosmic generosity. The comet’s swift journey won’t last forever — but the insights gained are timeless.

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