Comet 3I/ATLAS Back in View: Images Show Its Tail is Getting Longer

Comet 3I/ATLAS, the much-discussed interstellar comet of 2025, has re-emerged in the morning sky after months of being obscured by the Sun. As of mid-November 2025, the comet is now visible once again, and new images show its tail growing longer, captivating stargazers and astronomers alike.

The comet, which had been positioned behind the Sun since October 2025, was previously invisible from Earth. However, scientists were still able to monitor its movements thanks to Mars orbiters that captured images of 3I/ATLAS during this period of obscurity.

Now that the comet has crossed the other side of the Sun, it has reappeared in the morning sky. Renowned astrophotographer Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project has been documenting the comet’s return since early November. His latest images provide valuable insight into the comet’s current condition and show a visible increase in the length of its tail.

Images Captured Despite Lunar Glare

On November 6, 2025, Masi captured the first image of the comet since its re-emergence. The image, taken just after the comet became visible again, shows the comet’s faint features despite the near-full Moon’s interference. Masi noted that although the Moon was setting and its glare was strong, the comet was still clearly visible just above the eastern horizon, about 10 degrees above the ground. Using specialized equipment like the SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera and a Celestron C14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, Masi was able to capture the image in detail.

Tail Growing Longer

By November 10, the conditions had improved, allowing Masi to capture more detailed images of 3I/ATLAS. The comet, now 12 degrees above the eastern horizon, revealed its ion tail in greater clarity, thanks to the shifting geometry of the comet’s position relative to Earth. Masi explained that the tail, which had been largely obscured at perihelion (the closest approach to the Sun), was now more visible as the comet moved further into the morning sky.

On November 11, 2025, Masi captured another image showing the tail stretching to at least 0.7 degrees in the northeast direction, along with an “anti-tail” pointing east-southeast. This phenomenon occurs when the Sun’s heat causes the comet’s icy nucleus to sublimate into gas, creating the long, glowing ion tail that is characteristic of comets.

What’s Next for Comet 3I/ATLAS

As the comet continues its journey through the sky, observers can expect the tail to grow even longer as the heat from the Sun increases. The comet’s presence in the morning sky is a spectacular sight for astronomy enthusiasts, and the Virtual Telescope Project is set to host a live stream of Comet 3I/ATLAS on November 17, 2025, offering viewers a chance to observe the comet in real-time.

For those eager to spot the comet themselves, the Virtual Telescope Project blog provides detailed guidance on how to locate Comet 3I/ATLAS in the sky.

This interstellar visitor, discovered in 2017, has continued to amaze astronomers with its unpredictable movements and striking appearance. As Comet 3I/ATLAS ventures through our solar system, it promises to remain a fascinating subject for astronomical study in the months to come.