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Space
Space
Science
Andrew Jones

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will fly by Mars 1 month from now — and Europe's Red Planet orbiters will be ready

A blue ball of light shines between streaks of blueish light from stars in outer space.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for a unique opportunity to study the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas from what could be the best vantage point in the solar system.

Astronomers made the rare and extraordinary discovery of an interstellar object in our own solar system on July 1, 2025, sparking a scramble to study the mysterious visitor. The object has since been named comet 3I/ATLAS, where 3I stands for "third interstellar," and designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS).

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