Like a message in a bottle slipping past Earth, an interstellar comet may still be whispering clues about its origins before vanishing forever beyond the Sun’s reach. NASA scientists are racing to decode those signals as new observations sharpen the focus on comet 3I/ATLAS — a rare visitor from another star system. TESS Turns Its Gaze From Planets to a Cosmic WandererNASA’s planet-hunting Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) recently captured an unexpected target: interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. During a dedicated observation window from Jan. 15 through Jan. 22, TESS repeatedly monitored the comet as it sped outward from the solar system. Researchers hope NASA 3I/ATLAS comet spin gauging will reveal how actively the object is releasing dust and gas, and how fast its icy core is rotating — vital clues to understanding its physical makeup.