Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is seen for the first time since it disappeared behind the sun - and it's even BRIGHTER than when it went in

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been observed again after disappearing behind the sun. Astronomers using the Lowell Observatory's Discovery Telescope captured images of the comet as it reappeared in Earth's view. These observations indicate that 3I/ATLAS is now brighter than it was before passing behind the sun. The comet was first detected on July 1 and went out of sight in early October as it approached its closest point to the sun, known as perihelion. During this approach, the sun's heat caused the comet's outer layers of ice to evaporate, forming a cloud of glowing gas. This event has made the comet bright enough for amateur telescopes to detect. 3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object ever discovered. It travels at over 130,000 miles per hour on a flat and straight trajectory through our solar system. While it will not remain in our solar system for long, its orbit is influenced by the sun's gravity, causing a slight change in its course. Scientists have been monitoring 3I/ATLAS even when it was not visible from Earth, using space telescopes. These observations revealed that the comet brightened rapidly and took on a blue hue as it neared perihelion. This suggests that gases, not just dust, are significantly contributing to its increased brightness, and that changes are occurring on its surface due to the sun's heat. As the comet moves away from the su... download the app to read more