Why exocomet 3I/ATLAS is glowing green as it approaches Earth

The International Gemini Observatory caught a glowing glimpse of exocomet 3I/ATLAS which is the third confirmed object ever observed traveling through our solar system.

The spectacular image was specifically captured when researchers used the Gemini Multi-object Spectrograph at Maunakea in Hawaii.

3I/ATLAS resurfaced in the sky close to Zaniah, a triple-star system located in the constellation Virgo.

The intriguing captured images consist of three filters: blue, green, and red.

During the exposures, the comet remains stationary in the centre of the telescope’s field of view.

Meanwhile, the background stars appear to move parallel to the comet’s path, causing them to appear as streaks in the final images.

The images circulating today appear to have a faint greenish glow. This phenomenon is caused by light emitted by specific gases, such as carbon in the comet’s coma, which are then broken apart by solar radiation.

People are waiting to see the intriguing glimpse of 3I/ATLAS which makes its closest approach to Earth on December 19.

In addition, the interstellar interloper will be 1.79 AU from the planet as it approaches before it passes the orbit of Jupiter and exits the solar system next year.