Flyeye's view of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

Observations of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) made using ESA’s Flyeye telescope.

While the vast majority of near-Earth objects are asteroids, we also know of over 100 near-Earth comets whose orbits bring them close to Earth, and thus tracking comets is also an active part of ESA’s planetary defence activities.

Tsuchinshan–ATLAS itself is not a technically a near-Earth comet, but it is currently passing through the inner Solar System and was close enough to Earth be observed by Flyeye during the telescope’s 'first light' campaign. The comet’s fuzzy dust tail is visible and clearly distinguishes it from an asteroid.

This animation was made using 16 images, each with a 30 second exposure, acquired on 21 May over a period of eight and a half minutes.