MSGID: 1:153/757.0 9a51afd0   
   TZUTC: -0700   
   CHRS: LATIN-1 2   
                           Astronomy Picture of the Day   
      
       Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our   
         fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation   
                       written by a professional astronomer.   
      
                                    2025 July 7   
      A drawing of our Solar System shows the orbits of Jupiter and interior   
       planets. A white line shows the trajectory of passing comet 3I/ATLAS.   
             Please see the explanation for more detailed information.   
      
                            Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS   
                          Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech   
      
      Explanation: It came from outer space. An object from outside our Solar   
      System is now passing through at high speed. Classified as a comet   
      because of its gaseous coma, 3I/ATLAS is only the third identified   
      macroscopic object as being so alien. The comet's trajectory is shown   
      in white on the featured map, where the orbits of Jupiter, Mars, and   
      Earth are shown in gold, red, and blue. Currently Comet 3I/ATLAS is   
      about the distance of Jupiter from the Sun -- but closing, with its   
      closest approach to our Sun expected to be within the orbit of Mars in   
      late October. Expected to pass near both Mars and Jupiter, 3I/ATLAS is   
      not expected to pass close to the Earth. The origin of Comet 3I/ATLAS   
      remains unknown. Although initial activity indicates a relatively   
      normal comet, future observations about 3I/ATLAS' composition and   
      nature will surely continue.   
      
                Piece it All Together: Astronomy Puzzle of the Day   
                        Tomorrow's picture: stellar sisters   
        __________________________________________________________________   
      
          Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)   
               NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.   
                     NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;   
                         A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,   
                              NASA Science Activation   
                                & Michigan Tech. U.   
      
   --- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-7   
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)   
   SEEN-BY: 19/10 105/81 106/201 128/187 129/14 305 134/100 153/135 143   
   SEEN-BY: 153/148 151 757 6809 7083 7715 154/110 218/700 840 221/1   
   SEEN-BY: 221/6 360 226/30 227/114 229/110 206 307 317 400 426 428   
   SEEN-BY: 229/664 700 705 240/1120 266/512 291/111 301/1 113 812 320/219   
   SEEN-BY: 322/757 335/364 341/66 342/200 396/45 460/58 256 1124 633/280   
   SEEN-BY: 712/848 902/26 5020/400 1042 8912 5054/30 5075/35   
   PATH: 153/757 221/6 301/1 460/58 229/426