Tianwen-1 Captures Interstellar Comet | Science News

China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter has captured rare, grainy images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it streaks toward the sun—proof it’s a comet with a glowing coma and tail, carrying water and volatiles. Despite being tiny (3.5 miles across) and hurtling at 36 miles per second, Tianwen-1’s camera—designed for Mars, not comets—snagged the shots thanks to precise timing. European orbiters struggled to see it at all. This fleeting glimpse offers a cosmic window into material from beyond our solar system, hinting at how stars and planets form elsewhere in the galaxy. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c52943f0b783db86