Story perspectives

Comet 3I/ATLAS Reveals Water Flow, Aids Planetary Defense

4/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, sheds two tons of water per second as it nears the Sun in late 2025.
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) observed this activity during the approach.
Data indicate volatile ices beneath the surface released shortly after perihelion.
The comet, possibly over 10 billion years old, informs planet formation around other stars.
Juice observations aid planetary defense by improving tracking of distant asteroids.

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Story summary

Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, sheds two tons of water per second as it nears the Sun in late 2025.
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) observed this activity during the approach.
Data indicate volatile ices beneath the surface released shortly after perihelion.
The comet, possibly over 10 billion years old, informs planet formation around other stars.
Juice observations aid planetary defense by improving tracking of distant asteroids.