In late November, the Hubble Space Telescope resumed observations of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, capturing its first images since July 2025. This was made possible by the work of NASA’s Wide Field Camera, as reported by the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Solar Astronomy Laboratory.
Due to technical issues, Hubble’s observations of objects close to the Sun, including 3I/ATLAS, were limited. This had raised concerns that observations might be discontinued. However, they have now been resumed.
The camera used for obtaining the images operates in the optical and ultraviolet ranges, allowing the object to be seen in a spectrum close to human vision. The images of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken from a distance of 286 million kilometers, have not yet revealed significant details. Nevertheless, it is expected that subsequent Hubble observations will allow for a more detailed examination of the object.
According to the laboratory, the resumption of Hubble’s observations of 3I/ATLAS is positive news that may help to better understand the object’s nature.
It is worth recalling that recent studies suggest the possibility of unpredictable behavior from 3I/ATLAS before its departure from the Solar System in 2026, including a potential collision with Jupiter. The object’s origin remains a mystery: it is hypothesized that it may come from the “thick disk” of the Milky Way, and some even consider the possibility of extraterrestrial origin.
About the Author
