Gemini North Telescope Captures Greening of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Key facts

• The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is not only brightening but also taking on a distinct green hue as it approaches Earth.
• The latest image of the comet was captured by scientists using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on the 8.1-meter Gemini North telescope atop Hawaii's dormant Mauna Kea volcano.
• The green colour of the comet is caused by diatomic carbon (C2) molecules in its coma, which emit light at green wavelengths when exposed to solar radiation.