Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS's Blue Shine Is Surprising Astronomers
Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known visitor from beyond our Solar System, has been brightening rapidly as it approaches perihelion, its closest point to the Sun.
Due to its position behind the Sun, ground-based observations were nearly impossible, so astronomers used space-based observatories and solar-monitoring satellites to track the comet.
Researchers Qicheng Zhang and Karl Battams used instruments aboard STEREO-A, SOHO, and GOES-19 to capture the comet's transformation.
Related: Strange Green Glow From Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Has Scientists Puzzled
Astronomers are surprised by the comet's blue shine as it approaches the Sun.
Author's summary: Comet 3I/ATLAS surprises astronomers with rapid brightening.