The Hubble Space Telescope provided images of the comet 3I-Atlas, identified as the third known interstellar object to approach the solar system. Initially estimated to have an icy core several miles wide, new measurements suggest a size range of up to 3.5 miles, potentially as small as 1,000 feet. The comet travels at 130,000 mph and will pass closer to Mars than Earth. Recent Hubble images unveiled a teardrop-shaped dust plume and signs of a dusty tail surrounding the comet's nucleus, indicating its composition and movement.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the best picture yet of a high-speed comet visiting our solar system from another star, known as 3I-Atlas.
Astronomers originally estimated the size of its icy core at several miles across, but Hubble's observations have narrowed it down to no more than 3.5 miles.
3I-Atlas is hurtling our way at 130,000 mph and will veer closer to Mars than Earth, keeping a safe distance from both.
A teardrop-shaped plume of dust was revealed around the nucleus as well as traces of a dusty tail.
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