In November 2025, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, commonly referred to as Juice, conducted significant observations of comet 3I/ATLAS. Equipped with five scientific instruments, Juice aimed to gather insights into the comet’s composition and activity.
Juice’s Encounter with Comet 3I/ATLAS
On November 2, 2025, Juice captured a striking image of 3I/ATLAS using its onboard Navigation Camera (NavCam). Although designed primarily for navigation rather than high-resolution imaging, NavCam revealed impressive details about the comet’s activity. The image shows the bright halo of gas surrounding the comet, known as its coma, and hints at the presence of two distinct tails.
Features of the Comet
The first tail, a bright plasma tail, consists of electrically charged gas and stretches upward in the image. The second tail, a faint dust tail made up of tiny solid particles, extends to the lower left. This observation occurred two days before Juice’s closest approach to the comet, which took place on November 4, approximately 66 million kilometers away.
Scientific Instruments and Data Collection
Juice utilized five scientific instruments during this encounter: JANUS, MAJIS, UVS, SWI, and PEP. The data collected will not return to Earth until February 18 and 20, 2026. The delay in data transmission is due to Juice currently using its main high-gain antenna as a protective shield against the Sun’s heat. Consequently, its smaller medium-gain antenna sends data at a significantly reduced rate.
- JANUS: High-resolution optical camera for detailed imaging.
- MAJIS: Spectrometry device for analyzing materials.
- UVS: Instrument for ultraviolet observations.
- SWI: Used for studying the comet’s composition.
- PEP: Particle detection for understanding dust and gas emissions.
Anticipated Insights
Juice’s observation comes shortly after 3I/ATLAS’s closest approach to the Sun, a period when it was notably more active. The forthcoming data is expected to offer clearer insights into the comet’s behavior and structure, contributing valuable knowledge about cometary phenomena.
For the latest updates and frequently asked questions regarding comet 3I/ATLAS, readers can visit El-Balad.
