Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been a big talking point ever since it was first spotted entered our inner solar system back in July 2025.

Why was it so interesting – both to space scientists and the general public?

Well, because not only is 3I/ATLAS extremely old (it could be up to eight billion years of age), it is also only the third known interstellar object (meaning that it originated outside of our star system) to be detected here.

Understandably then, all eyes were on 3I/ATLAS as it followed its hyperbolic trajectory on a one-way trip through our solar system.

Back in October 2025, 3I/ATLAS made its closest approach to the Sun, reaching a distance of ‘just’ 126 million miles away.

And thanks to the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), we now have photographic evidence of the interstellar object as it passed by, just five days after it bypassed our Sun.

Using the multicolor camera, JUICE was able to observe the movement of the comet, as explained in a recent statement:

“This striking image from the science camera on ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) shows interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS spewing dust and gas. The tiny nucleus of the comet (not visible) is surrounded by a bright halo of gas known as the coma. A long tail stretches away from the comet, and we see hints of rays, jets, streams and filaments.”

More than just a fascinating picture, all the data captured by space agencies across the world is helping us to understand more about the interstellar object – and, in turn, more about outer space itself.

Because it emerged from outside our solar system, there’s a lot we didn’t know about this comet – and plenty that we still have left to learn.

While 3I/ATLAS is behaving just as scientists might have predicted, the imagery is allowing researchers to dig deeper into its composition.

In the meantime, you’ve got time to wave goodbye to our interstellar visitor, as it is set to finally leave our solar system in 2029.

If you thought that was interesting, you might like to read about a second giant hole has opened up on the sun’s surface. Here’s what it means.