NASA astronaut shares first image of comet G3 Atlas visible only once in 160,000 years

Comet entering Earth's orbit. (Image: Canva)

Astronaut Don Pettit captured breathtaking footage of Comet ATLAS while aboard the International Space Station. The comet, officially named C/2024 G3, made its closest approach to the Sun in early January. Pettit, a flight engineer for Expedition 72, filmed the comet as it passed by, orbiting 250 miles above Earth.

A Glimpse of Comet ATLAS

Pettit posted the footage on X (formerly Twitter). He described the experience as "totally amazing." The comet, which is 87 million miles away from Earth, appeared in the constellation Sagittarius. Although it looked close, it remained safely distant from Earth. Experts predicted Comet ATLAS would be the brightest comet of the year.

It is totally amazing to see a comet from orbit. Atlas C2024-G3 is paying us a visit. pic.twitter.com/6Npqa2Wksf
Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 11, 2025

Comet's Cosmic Journey

Comets, made of ice, dust, and rock, are ancient remnants. They formed about 4.6 billion years ago, during planet formation. As they approach the Sun, their ice turns to gas, creating long, glowing tails of debris. This process is what makes comets such a spectacular sight.

Astronomers believe Comet ATLAS originated in the Oort Cloud. This distant region is 50 times farther from the Sun. If the comet survives its close pass by the Sun, it may return in 160,000 years.

Viewing the Comet

For stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere, Comet ATLAS was visible after sunset. Its appearance could become clearer as it moves away from the Sun’s glare. Experts advised never to look directly at the Sun without proper protective eyewear.

Over the weekend, comet C/2024 (ATLAS) made a grand appearance in images from the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).The comet will continue to blaze through SOHOs view for the next couple of days. Follow along with SOHO's latest images: https://t.co/mpqKfQeDIb pic.twitter.com/fZULcjyNJM NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) January 13, 2025

Astronomers continue to study comets, considering them time capsules of the solar system. Some believe they may have contributed to Earth's water and life-forming compounds.