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ESA Boosts Comet 3I/ATLAS Predictions with TGO Data

11/18/2025

37 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The European Space Agency improved trajectory predictions for interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) data.
Observations from October 1–7, 2025 refined the comet’s path with tenfold accuracy.
The comet passed within 29 million kilometers of Mars on October 3, 2025.
This marks the first submission of astrometric measurements from a spacecraft orbiting another planet to the Minor Planet Center and will aid planetary defense.

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Story summary

The European Space Agency improved trajectory predictions for interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) data.
Observations from October 1–7, 2025 refined the comet’s path with tenfold accuracy.
The comet passed within 29 million kilometers of Mars on October 3, 2025.
This marks the first submission of astrometric measurements from a spacecraft orbiting another planet to the Minor Planet Center and will aid planetary defense.