Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS just passed by the Sun: What's seen
The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS just flew by the Sun, but unlike most comets, it didn't leave behind a tail or any visible debris.
Astronomers in Spain caught images of only a compact glow—no classic comet "trail"—even though Harvard's Avi Loeb says about 13% of its mass should've shown up as debris.
Scientists are genuinely stumped and eager to figure out what's going on.
What is 3I/ATLAS?
With no tail and some strange movements toward the Sun, researchers are questioning what this object really is.
Loeb thinks we might just be looking at it from the wrong angle right now, and better views could reveal more soon.
3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System and is being closely tracked by NASA and ESA—even though some images are delayed due to a US government shutdown.
Stay tuned: it'll pass close to Jupiter next March!