Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is being studied from two deep space locations after recently passing perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun, but not visible from Earth due to solar glare. The European Space Agency’s JUICE mission, aimed at studying Jupiter’s icy moons, is positioned advantageously to observe the comet.
JUICE will conduct observations from November 2 to 25, using five instruments to analyze the comet, although it will remain about 64 million kilometers away during the flyby on November 4. Given its position, JUICE will rely on remote sensing. The data collected will not be available until February 2026.
This rare opportunity to study 3I/ATLAS coincides with its peak activity period, and as it moves away from the Sun, visibility from Earth is expected to improve in the coming days.
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