Astronaut Don Pettit has recorded remarkable footage of Comet ATLAS from the International Space Station, providing a rare view of the comet's passage through the solar system. The comet, designated C/2024 G3, made its closest approach to the Sun in early January.
Pettit, serving as a flight engineer for Expedition 72, filmed the comet as it traveled 250 miles above Earth. He shared the footage on X (formerly Twitter), expressing that the experience was 'totally amazing.'
Comet ATLAS, located 87 million miles from Earth, was visible in the constellation Sagittarius. Despite its apparent proximity, it remained at a safe distance. Experts have indicated that it is expected to be the brightest comet of the year.
Comets, composed of ice, dust, and rock, are ancient remnants from the formation of the solar system approximately 4.6 billion years ago. As they near the Sun, their ice sublimates into gas, forming long, luminous tails of debris.
Scientists believe Comet ATLAS originated from the Oort Cloud, a region located 50 times further from the Sun. If it survives its close encounter with the Sun, it may return to the inner solar system in about 160,000 years.
For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, Comet ATLAS was visible after sunset, with potential for clearer visibility as it moves away from the Sun's glare. Experts caution against looking directly at the Sun without appropriate protective eyewear.
Astronomers continue to study comets, viewing them as time capsules that may provide insights into the early solar system and the origins of water and life on Earth.