Overview
- The agency published a Nov. 19 set of images from more than a dozen instruments after a public release delay attributed to the U.S. government shutdown.
- Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter obtained the closest, most detailed views as the object passed about 30 million kilometers from Mars in early October, with MAVEN ultraviolet data and a Perseverance sighting.
- Solar observatories STEREO, SOHO and the newly launched PUNCH tracked the object near the Sun and recorded its tail between mid-September and late October.
- Asteroid missions Psyche and Lucy photographed the visitor in mid-September from roughly 53 million kilometers and 380 million kilometers, aiding trajectory refinement.
- The rare interstellar comet is projected to make its nearest approach to Earth on Dec. 19 at about 270 million kilometers, with continued monitoring planned.