Mars Orbiters Will Have Front-row Seats to Interstellar Comet
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third-known object from deep space to enter our solar system, will not approach Earth closely but will pass within 30 million kilometers of Mars on October 3rd. This proximity offers a rare opportunity for observation using cameras and spectrometers aboard Mars orbiters like Mars Express and ExoMars. Scientists hope to capture images of the comet’s coma, though resolution limitations and signal strength may restrict results to monochromatic visuals. Spectral data would be a bonus, but no guarantees are being made.