Several of NASA's space-based missions have observed Interstellar Comet 3I⧸ATLAS. As it approaches Mars, orbiters and rovers may catch a glimpse as well.
00:00Right now, a fleet of NASA spacecraft are turning their attention to an unusual object speeding through our solar system.
00:09NASA-funded telescopes have their eyes on the sky all the time, and first spotted this object back in July.
00:16It's a comet, now named 3I Atlas, and it's only the third object ever confirmed to have come from interstellar space.
00:25In case you were wondering, this comet does not pose any threat to Earth, but it does give scientists a rare chance to study something from beyond our solar system.
00:37So, what are we doing?
00:39In addition to ground-based studies, NASA's space telescopes like Hubble, Webb, and Sphearix have made unique observations, and scientists are pouring over the data.
00:50Soon, though, the comet's path will take it past even more of our robotic explorers.
00:55Next, it's heading towards Mars.
00:58It will be closest on October 3rd, and spacecraft in orbit and on the surface will try to catch a glimpse.
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