Astronomers have captured striking new images of a rare comet from deep space, and it appears to be dragging a spectacular double tail behind it. The object, named 3I/ATLAS, has been under constant watch by the world's top observatories since it was first spotted cutting through our solar neighbourhood in July. Now, as the comet heads for its closest pass by Earth, major space agencies have released fresh photos that show just how chaotic the surface of this alien visitor really is.
Both the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA are tracking the intruder, using the Hubble Space Telescope and the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) to get a better look. These joint efforts are offering vital clues about where the comet is going and what it is made of—a huge step forward in understanding objects that were not born in our own solar system.
