NASA reveals unprecedented images of comet 3I/ATLAS in a live event this Wednesday
NASA is hosting a live broadcast this Wednesday (19) to present never-before-seen images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by several space missions. The event, hosted in Centro of Voos Espaciais Goddard, in Maryland, takes place at 3pm (local time) and will be rebroadcast globally. As photos, including records from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter probe’s HiRISE camera, were retained for around 40 days due to bureaucratic issues. The agency brings together experts to explain the scientific importance of these observations.
The comet, discovered in July 2025 by the ATLAS system, is the third interstellar object identified in Sistema Solar. Sua passing close to Marte, between 2 and 3 October, allowed detailed captures of its antitail and gas jets. The presentation aims to clarify characteristics of 3I/ATLAS, such as its composition and trajectory. The event is open to the public via NASA+, YouTube and other platforms.
- Participants include Amit Kshatriya, NASA Associate Administrator.
- Nicky Fox, leader of Diretoria of Missões Científicas, will detail the objectives.
- Shawn Domagal-Goldman and Tom Statler will cover astrophysical aspects.
Discovery details
3I/ATLAS was identified by the NASA-funded ATLAS telescope on Chile. Sua hyperbolic trajectory confirms origin outside of Sistema Solar.
The comet, with an estimated nucleus between 440 meters and 5.6 km, does not pose a risk to Terra. Ele has reached 29 million km from Marte and will reach 270 million km from Terra in December.
Images retained by bureaucracy
The HiRISE camera photos, with a resolution of 30 km per pixel, were captured in October. Elas shows the comet’s antitail, a rare phenomenon seen in Sol.
The delay in disclosure, according to astrophysicist Avi Loeb, was due to administrative obstacles. As images promise greater clarity about the comet’s structure.
The HiRISE camera, installed on the MRO probe, recorded side views of the gas jets. Essas observations complement data from telescopes such as Hubble and James Webb.
NASA plans to use the records to refine studies on interstellar comets. The release of the images is awaited by global scientists.
Participation of experts
NASA leaders will lead the presentation with technical analysis. Eles will explain how 3I/ATLAS differs from local comets.
The presence of Amit Kshatriya and Nicky Fox reinforces the relevance of the event. The duo will contextualize the agency’s role in space exploration.
Publicly accessible broadcast
The event will be shown on platforms such as NASA+, YouTube and Amazon Prime. The agency encourages questions from the public via the #AskNASA hashtag.
Journalists can participate virtually by submitting credentials in advance. The broadcast starts at 5pm (Brasília time).
The rebroadcast on Olhar Digital includes commentary from Marcelo Zurita, from Sociedade Astronômica Brasileira. Ele will address the scientific impact of images.
Scientific importance
3I/ATLAS offers a unique window to study objects from other stellar systems. Sua composition, with water, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, reveals conditions of its origin. Dados collected by missions such as ESA’s SPHEREx and ExoMars expands knowledge about its formation. Analysis of these images can shed light on processes of galactic evolution, comparing interstellar comets to solar objects.
Additional observations
ESA contributed data from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter probe, refining the comet’s trajectory. Novas observations are planned with the Juice mission in 2026.
