China's Tianwen 1 Mars probe captures images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

China's Tianwen-1 Captures Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

The Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter has detected the newest interstellar visitor to our solar system from its vantage point orbiting Mars. It successfully captured images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during its close approach to the Red Planet, contributing valuable data to worldwide efforts studying this rare celestial intruder.

Significance of 3I/ATLAS

3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed object from beyond our solar system to pass through it, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. The comet is believed to be older than our solar system itself, sparking intense interest across various space agencies.

Global Observation Efforts

Space organizations globally have mobilized multiple spacecraft to observe 3I/ATLAS. Both the European Space Agency and NASA redirected their Mars missions, including surface rovers, to monitor the comet during its early October pass.

Tianwen-1 Imaging Details

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) disclosed that Tianwen-1 imaged the comet starting October 4. The spacecraft used its High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC), which is similar to NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE camera but with a slightly lower resolution. It tracked 3I/ATLAS against a starry background, an operation that required switching from the typical imaging of Mars’ surface to moving target tracking from about 18 million miles away.

“Tianwen-1 used its High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) — somewhat comparable to HiRISE on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), but slightly lower resolution — to capture the comet moving against a stellar backdrop.”

This imaging effort highlights the flexibility and capability of Mars orbiters to support broader solar system studies beyond planetary observation.

Author’s Summary

Tianwen-1’s successful imaging of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS strengthens global collaborative efforts to study rare visitors from beyond our solar system.

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Space Space — 2025-11-07

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