New Delhi: Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) have observed the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas that is currently on its way out of the Solar System after its hypervelocity passage through it, and the closest approach to the Sun in late October. The observations were carried out using the 1.2 m telescope in Mount Abu, with spectroscopic analysis of the light as well. The images show a near-circular coma, or the atmosphere of gas and dust that forms around the nucleus of a comet as it gets closer to the Sun.

The comet was already active or shedding material when it was discovered, at a distance of 667 million km from the Sun, over three times the distance of Mars. There is so much outgassing from the alien comet, that the nucleus is difficult to determine. The energy from

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