An unprecedented cosmic event unfolded as NASA and ISRO teamed up to observe interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare visitor traveling at a breakneck speed of 130,000 mph. This discovery, the third confirmed interstellar object after ‘Oumuamua and Borisov, was made possible by advanced observation techniques from both Indian and American space agencies. ISRO’s Mount Abu Observatory provided stunning ground-based images, while NASA’s fleet of Mars orbiters and deep-space probes offered unparalleled close-up views.
The comet’s journey past Mars provided a unique opportunity for observation. NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured detailed imagery of the comet’s expanding coma as it neared the Red Planet. Simultaneously, the MAVEN orbiter detected water-ice sublimation, providing compelling evidence of the comet’s extraterrestrial water source.
From the Martian surface, NASA’s Perseverance rover documented the comet’s swift passage across the sky, highlighting the extensive network of instruments involved in this scientific endeavor. NASA’s solar monitoring missions also contributed by revealing hidden features in the comet’s tail, structures shaped by the solar environment.
Further enhancing our understanding of its trajectory, NASA’s Psyche and Lucy missions collected vital data from millions of miles away, enabling precise calculations of its path. ISRO’s Mount Abu telescope delivered sharp optical images and spectral analysis, confirming the presence of common cometary chemicals.
The significance of 3I/ATLAS lies in its origin from another star system. Studying it offers invaluable insights into planetary formation processes elsewhere in the galaxy, the chemical diversity of stellar environments, and the mechanics of interstellar travel. Though it is too fast to remain in our solar system, the data gathered will provide lasting scientific knowledge.