After passing behind the sun in October, interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is now visible from Earth again. Astronomers are photographing it in the pre-dawn sky.

Michael Jaeger of Austria has been tracking the comet since it re-appeared on Nov. 4th. "We have something unusual to report," he says. "3I/ATLAS showed a complex tail structure early this morning (Nov. 8th)."
Comet 3I/ATLAS unusual tail
© Taken by Michael Jaeger on November 8, 2025 @ AZM Martinsberg Austria
There is something unusual to report. 3I/ATLAS showed a complex tail structure early this morning. We observed it at 29 degrees elongation from the Sun.

The sum image from 24x35sec green and 2x35 red and 2x35 blue with 11" RASA shows a 5' coma and 4-5 tails or jets: 400“ pa 0, 500” pa 316, 900“ pa 295, 430” pa 278 and a counter-tail 200" pa 109 At the time of exposure, the comet was 7-10° above the horizon; at the end, twilight interfered with the observation, which took place under bright moonlight. We observed from a mountain location.

The comet was 9m1 bright (measured from 6x35 sec green).
"At the time of exposure, the comet was 7-10° above the horizon," he says. "At the end, twilight interfered with the observation, which took place under bright moonlight. We observed from a mountain location."

This image differs from other photos we've seen in recent days, which show a simple fuzzy blob with no obvious tail. Jaeger's exposure detected a spray of four or five tails, including a narrow jet pointing toward the sun. This might indicate a surge of activity stimulated by ATLAS's encounter with the hot sun.

Astronomers, confirmation is needed! Please photograph 3I/ATLAS in the mornings ahead and submit your images here.

more images: from Alberto Quijano Vodniza of Pasto, Colombia