NASA’s release of brand-new images of Interstellar comet 31/ATLAS has ignited a surge of scientific excitement, as spacecraft across the solar system continue to capture unprecedented views of the rare interstellar visitor. NASA released the images in a live event on Wednesday.
Ancient chemistry and rare cosmic behaviors were shown.
Participants in the live event included: NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya; Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate; Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director, Astrophysics Division; and Tom Statler, lead scientist for solar system small bodies
The newly revealed imagery—from platforms like JWST, MRO, Lucy, Psyche, SOHO, and even the Parker Solar Probe—showcases a dynamic, ancient object unlike any comet ever studied.
SOHO Mission • Psyche Mission • Parker Solar Probe
Nicky Fox summarized NASA’s accomplishment: “We’ve bent our instruments beyond normal capability to catch this incredible interstellar traveler.”
Confirming the Identity of a True Interstellar Comet
Despite online rumors claiming otherwise, NASA made it clear: 3I/ATLAS is not a spacecraft.
