NASA’s Europa Clipper May Capture Historic Interstellar Comet Particles During Jupiter Mission
In a cosmic coincidence, NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft might pass through the ion tail of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. This unprecedented opportunity could provide the first direct sampling of material from beyond our solar system.
Potential Historic Encounter
NASA’s Jupiter-bound Europa Clipper spacecraft could make scientific history by capturing the first-ever sample from an interstellar comet, according to new research. Two European scientists have calculated that the probe might pass through the ion tail of comet 3I/ATLAS during its journey to the Jovian system, potentially allowing instruments to analyze material originating from beyond our solar system.