NASA’s SPHEREx spacecraft recently observed the coma of Comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing valuable insights into its composition. The spacecraft captured infrared light emitted by the dust, water, organic molecules, and carbon dioxide present within the comet’s coma during a December 2025 mission.
These observations provide scientists with crucial data to better understand the chemical makeup and processes occurring within comets. By studying these celestial objects, researchers can gain important insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. The images captured by SPHEREx highlight the intricate details of the comet’s coma, shedding light on the complex interplay of various compounds within these icy bodies.
Original Source: NASA’s SPHEREx Examines Comet 3I/ATLAS’s Coma