Tue Aug 26 06:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in summer 2025, is being closely observed by several NASA missions, including SPHEREx, Webb, and Hubble space telescopes, as it makes a fleeting pass through our solar system. The goal is to gather as much information as possible about its size, physical properties, and chemical composition before it returns to interstellar space. While the comet poses no threat to Earth, this effort supports NASA’s broader mission to understand objects within our solar system.

**News Article:**

**NASA Mobilizes Space Telescopes to Observe Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Before its Departure**

WASHINGTON – As interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS hurtles through our solar system, NASA is leveraging its fleet of space telescopes to gather invaluable data on the celestial visitor. Discovered in the summer of 2025, this object, originating from beyond our solar system, offers a unique opportunity to study the composition and characteristics of objects from other star systems.

“Because this comet is just passing through, we’re using all the tools at our disposal to observe it before it disappears back into the cosmic dark,” stated NASA.

The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) recently completed observations of 3I/ATLAS between August 7th and 15th, with data currently being analyzed by the SPHEREx team. This data will contribute to a growing body of knowledge being compiled by other NASA telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope. These combined observations will provide crucial insights into the comet’s size, physical properties, and chemical makeup.

While 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth, these observations are part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to find, track, and understand objects both within and outside our solar system. Studying these objects helps scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe and better understand our place within it.

“NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery,” said Alise Fisher of NASA Headquarters.

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