The mysterious interstellar object has sparked curiosity among experts and space enthusiasts alike because, unlike most comets we see from Earth, it was formed outside our solar system 31/ATLAS has hurtled passed Mars - allowing NASA to take new pictures of the comet (Image: NASA)

A NASA Mars spacecraft has captured the ‘closest view yet’ of mysterious comet, 31/ATLAS as it hurtles past Mars and continues on its trajectory past Earth.

Last month the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured a close-up view of the interstellar object while the Maven (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft took pictures of it in ultraviolet light.

In addition, NASA’s Perseverance rover also captured 31/ATLAS from the surface of MARS – showing what the object looks like from the surface

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