Interstellar Comet
NASA announced the discovery of a rare interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS passing through our solar system. This is only the third confirmed comet from beyond our solar system. Its unusual trajectory and high velocity confirm it is a visitor from another star system. Scientists worldwide are closely observing this unique object to gain vital information about the formation of planetary systems beyond our own.
What Is an Interstellar Comet?
An interstellar comet originates outside the solar system. Unlike typical comets orbiting the Sun, it travels on a hyperbolic path. This means it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun and will leave the solar system after its flyby. These comets are composed of ice, dust, and rock, similar to regular comets. They are believed to have been ejected from their original planetary systems due to gravitational interactions. They drift through interstellar space for millions or billions of years before entering another star system.
Discovery of 3I/ATLAS
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was first detected on 1 July 2025 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile. It was later confirmed through archived data from multiple observatories, including the Zwicky Transient Facility in California. The comet came from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. Its discovery marked only the third time such an object has been observed passing through our solar system.
Trajectory and Speed
3I/ATLAS travels at an extraordinary speed of approximately 60 kilometres per second. It is currently more than 400 million miles (about 4.5 astronomical units) away from the Sun. The comet’s path is hyperbolic, indicating it will not orbit the Sun but pass through once. It will reach its closest approach to the Sun near 1.4 astronomical units, just inside Mars’s orbit, around 30 October 2025. After that, it will continue its journey back into interstellar space.
Scientific Importance
This comet offers a rare chance to study material from outside our solar system. Its composition and behaviour can provide clues about the formation and evolution of other planetary systems. Observations of gas and dust emissions help scientists compare interstellar comets with native solar system comets. Such studies enhance understanding of cosmic chemistry and planetary formation processes across the galaxy.
Visibility and Safety
3I/ATLAS is currently visible to ground-based telescopes and is expected to remain so until September 2025. It will then move too close to the Sun to be observed until early December when it reappears on the other side. NASA confirms that the comet poses no threat to Earth. It will maintain a safe distance of at least 1.6 astronomical units (about 150 million miles) throughout its passage.
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