Research suggests the comet may weigh around 33 billion tons, and its size and composition could provide insights into the materials from other star systems.

The observation efforts were expedited after the comet's discovery in July, with teams adjusting schedules to prioritize imaging during this rare close approach.

Upcoming observations by ESA's JUICE spacecraft and other missions will continue into November, especially around the comet's perihelion, when it is most active due to solar heating.

Experts recommend viewing the comet with binoculars or telescopes from dark sky locations, as it can be seen from both hemispheres before dawn.

There is speculation about the comet's potential for unusual behavior, with some suggesting that if it makes a maneuver on October 29, it could have implications ranging from scientific curiosity to speculative theories about alien technology.

This is only the third interstellar object known to have traversed our solar system, and current observations confirm it poses no threat to Earth or other planets.

A rare interstellar comet, designated 3I/Atlas, is passing near Mars and will come within 18 million miles of the planet on October 3, 2025, providing a unique opportunity for observation.

Both ESA's satellites around Mars and NASA's spacecraft, including the James Webb Space Telescope and Mars orbiters, are actively observing the comet with high-resolution instruments.

The comet's nucleus size is estimated to be between 440 meters and 3.5 miles across, with some scientists suggesting it could be larger than previous interstellar visitors like 'Oumuamua and Borisov.

As it approaches the Sun, 3I/Atlas will heat up, releasing gas and dust to form a luminous coma and tail, potentially becoming visible to the naked eye with a faint, greenish glow.

Scientists are analyzing the comet's chemical composition, expecting it to shed CO2 and H2O ices, which could reveal whether interstellar comets share common building blocks with solar system comets.

Despite the ongoing excitement, official data and images from NASA and ESA are pending the end of the U.S. government shutdown, with ESA planning to release imagery soon.