The International Gemini Observatory has captured a bright glimpse of exocomet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed object ever observed by our solar system.
The spectacular image was specifically captured when researchers used the Gemini Multi-object Spectrograph at Maunakea, Hawaii.
3I/ATLAS resurfaced in the sky near Zaniah, a triple star system in the constellation Virgo.
The intriguing images captured consist of three filters: blue, green and red.
During the recordings, the comet remains stationary in the center of the telescope’s field of view.
Meanwhile, the background stars appear to move parallel to the comet’s path, appearing as streaks in the final images.
The images in circulation today appear to have a faint greenish glow. This phenomenon is caused by light emitted by specific gases, such as carbon in the comet’s coma, which are then broken down by solar radiation.
People await the intriguing glimpse of 3I/ATLAS, which will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19.
Furthermore, the interstellar intruder will be 1.79 AU from the planet before passing through Jupiter’s orbit and leaving the solar system next year.
