New images from the Gemini South telescope show comet 3I-Atlas, an interstellar object, developing a longer tail as it approaches the sun. The images, released Thursday, are the most detailed yet, revealing a wide coma of dust and gas surrounding the comet. This confirms increased activity as the comet travels through our solar system. At 238 million miles from Earth, it will make its closest approach to the sun in late October and to Earth in December.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.