ESA's Juice Spacecraft Observes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

In July 2025, astronomers identified an interstellar object entering our Solar System, designated as 3I/ATLAS. The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft was strategically positioned to observe this rare visitor.

By November 2025, Juice commenced its observation campaign, utilizing five scientific instruments—JANUS, MAJIS, UVS, SWI, and PEP—to collect data on 3I/ATLAS. The spacecraft captured over 120 images, including a detailed photograph on November 6, 2025, revealing the comet's bright coma and tail structures.

Due to Juice's position on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth during the observation period, data transmission was delayed. The complete dataset was successfully downlinked in February 2026. Scientists are currently analyzing the information to gain insights into the comet's composition and behavior.

The successful observation of 3I/ATLAS by Juice underscores the spacecraft's capability to adapt to unexpected scientific opportunities, providing valuable data on interstellar objects passing through our Solar System.