Overview
- China’s Tianwen‑1 released Oct 1–4 images showing a distinct nucleus enveloped by a several‑thousand‑kilometre coma with no clear tail.
- ESA’s ExoMars TGO and new ground‑based frames likewise depict a bright, compact coma without a visible tail in the post‑perihelion phase.
- NASA and JPL data indicate rapid brightening and measurable non‑gravitational acceleration after perihelion, consistent with mass‑loss forces under study.
- NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured higher‑resolution views, but their publication is delayed until the shutdown ends after a congressional request for release.
- The object remains no threat to Earth, with a closest approach of about 270 million km on December 19, and coordinated JUICE in November and JWST in December are planned to refine composition and dynamics.