Comets

Latest about Comets

A risky maneuver could send a spacecraft to interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Here's the plan

By Keith Cooper published

If launched in 2035, a spacecraft performing such a maneuver could fly by 3I/ATLAS by 2085.

Comets
bright white and blue dots of light on a black background, with clouds of faint light surrounding them

Could the remains of a 'dead' comet still be in the solar system? Astronomers are still searching 6 years later

By Kiona N. Smith published

The fate of a comet that was predicted to pass close to Earth remains a mystery five years after its dramatic breakup in the inner solar system.

Comets
A white light of the comet 3I/ATLAS is surrounded by a blue glow against a black background

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS survived its flyby of the sun — and gave up some secrets in the process

By Paul Sutter published

Interstellar comets are the original cosmic explorers, and by studying their metallic whispers, we are learning the secrets of worlds we may never see directly.

Comets
Two images side by side, the one on the left shows a large glowing ball of light in red near a bunch of glowing red dots, with the image on the left being the same image but in blue

NASA space telescope sees interstellar visitor comet 3I/ATLAS flare up while exiting the solar system

By Samantha Mathewson published

New infrared observations reveal that the rare interstellar visitor known as comet 3I/ATLAS has dramatically brightened during its farewell tour of the solar system.

Comets
A black and white image shows a gray background speckled with dots with a crosshairs and a box circling a specific dot in the center of the image

Will a bright comet adorn our early spring sky? Why astronomers are getting excited about Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

By Joe Rao published

Some astronomers have noted that its faint magnitude "does not bode well for the comet's survival past perihelion."

Comets
A series of glowing blue and white streaks move from the top left of the image to the bottom right of the image, against a dark background

Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) crumbles apart in stunning new telescope images

By Elizabeth Howell published

The comet broke into pieces after making a close approach around the sun in October 2025.

Comets
A streaking white comet moves to the left of the image with a boxout showing a floating metal spacecraft with two opposing solar panels in space

NASA exoplanet probe tracks interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to gauge its spin

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The interstellar visitor may still have a few things to tell us before it leaves our solar system.

Comets

Comet Wierzchos buzzes the sun later today: But can you see it?

By Anthony Wood published

C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) brightened significantly ahead of its close approach to the sun.

Comets
A laptop is shown displaying an image of a comet against a dark sky dotted with background stars blurred by their subtle motion through the sky. The laptop is set against a starry deep-space background complete with red nebula clouds.

Say goodbye to Comet 3I/ATLAS! Watch it head for interstellar space in real-time with this free livestream today

By Anthony Wood published

3I/ATLAS is heading away from the sun on an escape trajectory from our solar system.

Comets
A green ball of light showing comet Lemmon streaks across an orange and black night sky full of stars.

Will Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) be the 'great comet' of 2026?

By Jamie Carter published

In late April 2026, a long-period comet will swing through the inner solar system. It will likely be visible with binoculars, and there's a small chance it could be seen with the naked eye.

Comets
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives