Tianwen 1 Mars Orbiter Captures Rare Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that its Tianwen 1 spacecraft captured rare images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS when it was approximately 29 million kilometers away. This marks one of the closest recorded observations of the unusual celestial object.
Observation Preparation
The Tianwen 1 project team began preparing for the 3I/ATLAS observation in early September. Scientists and engineers conducted numerous calculations and simulations to design a detailed observation and imaging strategy based on the comet’s trajectory, brightness, size, and the orbiter’s technical capabilities.
Discovery and Data Sources
The comet was first detected on July 1 by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Following its discovery, additional data were retrieved from archived files of three different ATLAS telescopes worldwide, along with information from the California Institute of Technology’s Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory in San Diego County.
Scientific Significance
According to scientists, the 3I/ATLAS may have originated near an ancient star at the core of the Milky Way galaxy, with an age estimated between 3 and 11 billion years, possibly predating the solar system itself.
This makes 3I/ATLAS an exceptional subject for studying the composition, evolution, and early history of exoplanetary systems. Its analysis offers valuable insight into the formation processes of ancient stellar materials.
Close Solar Approach
In late October, the comet reached its perihelion — its closest point to the Sun — at an approximate distance of 1 astronomical unit.
Author’s Summary
The Tianwen 1 orbiter’s capture of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS provides scientists with rare insights into a billion-year-old traveler from the Milky Way’s distant core, advancing our understanding of galactic evolution.