NASA's Mars orbiters and rover pulled off a cosmic surprise by imaging an interstellar comet not meant for their sensors
Published on Nov 29, 2025 at 11:16 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Nov 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
NASA and its Mars orbiters and rover have managed to capture images of an interstellar comet that was not meant to be detected by their sensors.
The comet was first discovered back in July, but the longest government shutdown in US history meant the agency wasn’t able to comment or share pictures of it.
However, the shutdown is now over, and NASA has released the latest images, captured from its Mars orbiters and rovers.
It’s a remarkable sight to behold and provides even more valuable research about space.
DISCOVER OUR SUPERCAR AUCTION SITE – View live auctions on SBX Cars
What the Mars orbiters and rover were able to capture
NASA has said that the comet is called 3I/ATLAS, and it’s been described as a ‘weirdo.’
The comet passed by Mars at a distance of 19 million miles from the Red Planet.
Incredibly, the robots that spotted it weren’t meant to be gazing at the stars at all.
These were the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN orbiter (MAVEN), and NASA’s Perseverance Rover.
Perseverance looked upward and was able to catch sight of it as it passed by.
MAVEN is in orbit around the planet and managed to get a decent-quality image of the comet.
Then MRO was able to capture a very spooky monochrome image of the comet as it flew past.
The images of the comet are spectacular
The image from MRO was captured in early October as 3I/ATLAS raced past Mars.
This image showed the size of the comet and the diffuse nature of the dusty trail.
Perseverance managed to capture a grainy but spooky shot of it as it flew past 18.6 million miles away.
The image captured by the MAVEN spacecraft, however, is very different.
MAVEN showed a composite image of 3I/ATLAS.
This image revealed the amount of hydrogen around it captured in stunning ultraviolet light.
In the image, there is a dimmer spot on the left, which is the comet itself.
Mars and its hydrogen are seen in the picture, with the dim middle spot representing the hydrogen flowing between the planets.
These are some of the most fascinating images of outer space we have ever seen.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
