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The coma forms as the comet approaches the Sun, shedding material due to sublimation, where ice transforms directly into gas. This process creates a glowing halo of debris extending around the icy core, giving the comet its characteristic appearance from afar.
Hubble's Celebratory Observation
The Hubble Space Telescope, which celebrated its 35th year of operation earlier this year, added a significant chapter to our understanding of Comet 3i Atlas. In July, shortly after the comet was discovered from ground-based telescopes, Hubble directed its powerful gaze towards it. At that point in time, the comet was approximately 277 million miles from Earth, placing it well within the reach of Hubble’s deep-space viewing capabilities.