A comet hurtling through space has made its closest approach to Earth, with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope capturing the sharpest image yet of the interstellar visitor. The comet, 3I/Atlas, is traveling at a staggering 130,000 miles per hour and is only the third known interstellar visitor. Astronomers are still unsure where it came from, describing the sighting as “glimpsing a rifle bullet for a thousandth of a second.”
Meanwhile, in British Columbia, Canada, hairy caterpillars have begun their annual 10-year cycle, but unlike previous years, this time they’re expected to stick around. Researchers say the insects’ cycles are driven by a specific virus, making them surprisingly resilient to climate change.
In southern Europe, scorching heatwaves have fueled dozens of wildfires, forcing thousands to evacuate. Climate scientists warn that warming temperatures and droughts in the Mediterranean are fueling longer and more intense fire seasons. The region has seen significant temperature increases since the 1980s, outpacing the global average by twice as much.
The Perseid meteor shower, visible across much of the northern hemisphere, was also on display earlier this week. The show is caused by burning dust particles from a comet entering Earth’s atmosphere. With its closest approach to our planet, astronomers have captured stunning images of the comet, offering a glimpse into our celestial neighbors.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250815-the-best-science-pictures-of-the-week