Astronomers utilizing ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory have captured X-ray images of 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object to traverse our solar system, following 1I/Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
This XMM-Newton image displays an X-ray visualization of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The center features a bright red dot against a dark backdrop, resembling a burning lighthouse. Surrounding this core is a soft gradient of purple and blue, forming a slightly rotated rectangular frame divided by a thin horizontal line, indicating the detector gap. Red represents low-energy X-rays, while blue signifies regions with minimal X-rays. Image credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / C. Lisse / S. Cabot / XMM ISO Team.
On December 3, 2025, XMM-Newton tracked the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS for approximately 20 hours.
During this observation, the interstellar object was about 282-285 million kilometers away from the spacecraft.
XMM-Newton utilized the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC)-PN, its most sensitive X-ray camera, to observe the comet.
“This XMM-Newton image highlights the comet radiating in low-energy X-rays. The blue regions indicate voids with nearly no X-rays, while the red areas showcase the comet’s X-ray emissions,” stated members of the XMM-Newton team.
Astronomers anticipated this glow, as gas molecules emitted from comets generate X-rays upon colliding with the solar wind.
“These X-rays can originate from the interaction of the solar wind with gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, and have previously been detected by telescopes like NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s SPHEREx,” added the researchers.
“However, these telescopes possess distinct sensitivities to gases like hydrogen and nitrogen.”
“They are almost undetectable by optical and ultraviolet instruments, such as the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESA’s JUICE camera.”
“This makes X-ray observation an exceptional resource,” they emphasized.
“Researchers will be able to identify and examine gases that are difficult to detect with alternative instruments.”
“Multiple scientific groups suggest that the first observed interstellar object, 1I/’Oumuamua, may have been composed of unusual ices like nitrogen and hydrogen.”
“Although 1I/Oumuamua is currently too distant to study, 3I/ATLAS provides fresh opportunities to investigate interstellar bodies. X-ray observations will supplement other data and assist scientists in understanding the composition of these objects.”
Source: www.sci.news
