• Astronomers captured images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed Mars on October 3, 2025.
• The comet is only the third confirmed interstellar object to enter our solar system.
• Images from ESA's Mars orbiters showcased a bright, fuzzy dot against a backdrop of stars.
• 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will make its closest approach to the sun in late October.
• Experts debate the nature of the comet, with some suggesting it could be an alien probe.

A recently captured image from NASA's Perseverance rover shows interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it flew past Mars on October 3, 2025. The captivating image appears to depict a bright, cylindrical object moving across the Martian sky, leading to speculation about its true identity. While some enthusiasts theorize it could be an alien spacecraft, experts caution that the elongated form may result from the long-exposure imaging techniques employed by the rover's Mastcam-Z system, which can create artifacts in photographs. This has prompted further inquiries into the comet's characteristics and origins, according to Indiatimes.

The European Space Agency (ESA) also reported that 3I/ATLAS, observed from its orbiters Mars Express and ExoMars, appeared as a bright fuzzy dot approximately 18.6 million miles away from Mars. The comet, which first entered the solar system in July 2025, is exceptionally faint — about 10,000 to 100,000 times less luminous than typical targets for these instruments. The faintness of 3I/ATLAS posed significant challenges for astronomers attempting to capture clear images of the comet. Observations are critical for understanding the comet's trajectory and characteristics as it prepares for its closest approach to the sun in late October, according to CBS News and ABC News.

Scientists suggest that the trajectory of 3I/ATLAS may indicate its origins as an ancient interstellar object, potentially older than our solar system. The comet is estimated to measure around 46 kilometers in diameter and is believed to consist primarily of carbon dioxide and water ice. Astronomer Avi Loeb has posited that its unusual trajectory and behavior might imply that it is an artificial object, though most experts attribute its characteristics to natural cometary processes. The upcoming closest approach to the sun will allow for further observations and analysis of its composition, as the comet's activity increases with solar heat and radiation. This highlights the excitement among astronomers as they gather data from both NASA's rover and ESA's orbiters, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and ABC News.