Comet 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object newly observed by Hubble. It has traveled through the Milky Way for 800 million years and displays a tail that ejects rocky material. The discovery of water ice in its coma supports theories about life-supporting water existing beyond our solar system. Comet 3I/ATLAS will pass closest to Earth on December 17, traveling at 41 miles per second. Its dust resembles meteorites that may contain organic materials that could be critical for life on exoplanets.
Hubble's latest images reveal that comet 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object from the Milky Way, on an 800-million-year journey, featuring water ice in its coma.
The comet 3I/ATLAS, making its closest approach to Earth on December 17, travels at 41 miles per second, bringing insights about water and organic materials in space.
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