Journey to the Early Solar System: Observing Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility

Experience astronomy in action! Join Shadow the Scientists for a live virtual observing session with researchers using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Maunakea as they explore Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS.

Comets are icy relics left over from the early days of our solar system, time capsules that preserve clues about how the Sun, planets, and even Earth’s water and organic molecules first formed. By studying comets like C/2025 R3 in infrared light, scientists can identify their chemical composition, track how they change as they approach the Sun, and uncover what they reveal about the origins of planetary systems.

This special session lets participants experience the excitement of professional astronomy firsthand, seeing how real data is collected and analyzed by researchers exploring the building blocks of our cosmic neighborhood. They’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the observing process and engage with IRTF staff and the scientists leading the observations. Attendees will also see how the IRTF is a vital tool in the global planetary defense system, which identifies and characterizes objects in the solar system that pose a threat to Earth.