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3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, the third such object ever confirmed to be passing through our solar system from a foreign star system. It was first discovered in July 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile.
Discovery and confirmation:
The extrasolar origin of the object was identified due to its unusual, hyperbolic orbital path, which indicates it is not gravitationally bound to our Sun.
The formal designation for the object, "3I/ATLAS," signifies that it is the third confirmed interstellar ("3I") object, following 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
Key characteristics
Mass and size: Recent calculations have estimated the comet's mass to exceed 33 billion tons and its solid nucleus to be potentially larger than 3.1 miles (5 km) in diameter. This would make it significantly larger and more massive than the previous interstellar visitors.
Composition: Observations have revealed unusual characteristics, such as a carbon-dioxide-rich and nickel-rich coma.
Speed: It is traveling at a high velocity, having been recorded at roughly 130,000 mph (210,000 km/h).
Appearance: Early observations showed a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust trailing the nucleus. Its low brightness means it is not visible to the naked eye or binoculars.
Journey through the solar system
No threat to Earth: Comet 3I/ATLAS does not pose a threat to our planet, with its closest approach staying a safe distance away.
Close approach to Mars: On October 3, 2025, the comet made its closest approach to Mars, and a fleet of orbiting and surface-based spacecraft observed it to study its composition.
Perihelion: The comet was set to reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30, 2025, just inside the orbit of Mars.
Observability: After its passage, it will disappear from Earth's view as it recedes back into interstellar space.
Scientific importance and speculation:
Studying extrasolar material: As an interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS carries invaluable clues about the formation of worlds far beyond our own solar system
