Mars Spied on a Comet! ExoMars & Mars Express Catch Interstellar Visitor

In the vast cosmic ballet, comets often play the role of celestial wanderers, carrying secrets of the early universe. Recently, two Martian residents, ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express, had the distinct privilege of observing a very special comet: 3I/ATLAS. What made this comet unique is its origin - it's an interstellar visitor, meaning it originated from outside our solar system and is just passing through. Between October 1st and 7th, these Martian orbiters turned their sophisticated instruments towards 3I/ATLAS as it made a relatively close approach to Mars. This offered a rare chance to study a comet from another star system up close, providing insights into the composition and behavior of objects formed in different stellar environments. Comets are essentially icy leftovers from the formation of planetary systems, acting as time capsules containing information about the conditions in which they were born. The Trace Gas Orbiter, with its suite of sensitive instruments, was particularly well-suited to analyze the gases released by the comet as it was warmed by the sun. These gases, which form the comet's characteristic tail, provide clues about the comet's chemical makeup. Mars Express, with its imaging capabilities, captured stunning images of the comet's nucleus and coma (the fuzzy atmosphere surrounding the nucleus). Studying 3I/ATLAS also provides a comparative point for comets within our own solar system. By understanding the differences and similarities between comets formed in different star systems, scientists can refine their models of planet formation and gain a better understanding of the diversity of planetary systems throughout the galaxy. This helps answer fundamental questions about how common our solar system is and whether life could potentially arise in other systems with different compositions. The data gathered from this observation will be carefully analyzed by scientists in the coming months. By combining the information from both ExoMars and Mars Express, researchers hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature of this interstellar comet and its journey through our solar system. This fleeting encounter has already opened new windows into the universe and promises to shed light on the origins of planetary systems across the cosmos.