Hubble catches sharpest image yet of 3I/ATLAS
16 days ago
- #astronomy
- #comet
- #Hubble
- Hubble Space Telescope captures sharpest image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.
- Comet 3I/ATLAS is one of only three interstellar visitors observed in our Solar System.
- Hubble's observations help estimate the comet's nucleus size, between 320 meters and 5.6 kilometers.
- Comet 3I/ATLAS is traveling at 210,000 km/h, the fastest Solar System visitor recorded.
- Hubble captures dust plume and tail from the comet as it nears the Sun.
- The comet will be visible until September 2025, then reappear in early December 2025.
- Future observations by telescopes like James Webb may reveal more about its composition.
- 3I/ATLAS likely originated in another Solar System, far beyond our Galaxy.