ESA pinpoints 3I/ATLAS’s path with data from Mars

Paris, France (ESA) Nov 14, 2025

Since comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object, was discovered on 1 July 2025, astronomers worldwide have worked to predict its trajectory. ESA has now improved the comet’s predicted location by a factor of 10, thanks to the innovative use of observation data from our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) spacecraft orbiting Mars.

By being able to use Mars-based data for an unusual ob