Rubin Observatory Uncovers Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS in Early Images, 10 Days Before Official Detection
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during its science-validation phase—ten days before its official discovery—showing an active coma and implying Rubin could detect more interstellar visitors as its Legacy Survey progresses; coordinated observations with JUICE and Europa Clipper identified hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon in the coma, enabling comparisons with Solar System comets; the object is estimated to be 7–12 billion years old with a ~1 km nucleus traveling about 140,000 mph, and findings published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters help illuminate where such bodies form and how to spot them.
