As predicted, interstellar object 3I/ATLAS came within spitting distance of the surface of Mars as it continued blazing its path through the solar system.

The mysterious object, widely believed to be a comet, is only the third object from beyond the solar system to have ever been identified as it cruises through. It’s fascinated scientists ever since it was first observed in early July.

Now, NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has seemingly managed to snap images of the errant visitor as it made its flyby of the Red Planet. Two pictures, shared by the space agency over the weekend after being captured by Perseverance’s Right Navigation camera (Navcam), show a singular streak contrasted against the emptiness of space around it.

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, who has long been advocating for NAS

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