JUICE Mission's Unexpected Comet Encounter

The JUICE mission, en route to Jupiter, has an unexpected opportunity to study a rare comet. This mission's primary goal is to explore Jupiter's icy moons—Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa—which may harbor hidden oceans and potential for life. Ganymede, the largest moon, is unique with its own magnetic field, and JUICE will be the first spacecraft to orbit it.

Journey to Jupiter

JUICE is on a slow journey to Jupiter, expected to arrive in the early 2030s. Currently, it's in deep space, perfectly positioned to observe comet 3I/ATLAS. This observation wasn't planned, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. The spacecraft will observe the comet twice, even though it won't get very close. The closest approach will be on November 4, when the comet is about 64 million kilometers away.

Studying the Comet

Despite the distance, JUICE has the right tools to study the comet. It will use five instruments, including a camera and spectrometers, to gather data. However, due to its position, the data will take a while to send back to Earth. Scientists expect to receive all the data by February 2026.

Stargazing Opportunities

While waiting for JUICE's findings, there's good news for stargazers. The comet is moving away from the Sun, and Earth is moving towards it. This means we'll have better chances to see it from our own backyards in the coming months.