NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has unveiled a captivating new animation of comet 3I/ATLAS as it travels through the solar system, created using the advanced “Eyes on the Solar System” interactive tool.
The animation traces the comet’s path in four detailed views, covering the period from December 2023 to September 2028, revealing the complex gravitational interactions shaping its trajectory.
This 3D visualisation offers an engaging look into the comet’s journey, illustrating sweeping arcs and curves influenced by the gravitational forces of planets and the sun. The animation aims to enhance public understanding of cometary dynamics by visually demonstrating how celestial bodies interact in space.
Serving both educational and scientific purposes, the animation provides enthusiasts and researchers with unprecedented insight into 3I/ATLAS’s behaviour as it moves closer to the inner solar system.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the visualisation underscores ongoing research crucial to comprehending comet compositions and their role in the history and evolution of our solar system.
Comet 3I/ATLAS continues to be a focus for scientists eager to glean new data that may shed light on the origins of cometary bodies and broader cosmic phenomena. NASA’s animation reflects the agency’s commitment to sharing the beauty and complexity of space exploration with the public, inviting people worldwide to witness the celestial ballet unfolding above Earth.