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A rare interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, is set to make its closest approach to Earth on October 29, NASA confirmed. The object, which originated beyond our solar system, is the third known interstellar visitor after ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). While the comet poses no threat to the planet, its hyperbolic trajectory and mysterious composition have sparked global scientific interest. A Visitor From Another Star System According to NASA, Comet 3I/ATLAS formed in another stellar system and was ejected into interstellar space millions—or even billions—of years ago. It drifted through the void before being detected by astronomers on July 1, 2025, when it was about 410 million miles (670 million km) from the Sun, inside Jupiter’s orbit. The comet is approaching from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, near the Milky Way’s centre, and is currently travelling at nearly 137,000 miles per hour (221,000 km/h). How It Was Discovered The NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile, first reported observations to the Minor Planet Center on July 1. Archived data from three ATLAS observatories and Caltech’s Zwicky Transient Facility in California later confirmed its path and interstellar origin. NASA scientists classify the comet as interstellar because its orbit is hyperbolic, meaning it will pass through the solar system only once before heading back into deep space. Name and Classification The name 3I/ATLAS carries specific meaning: “3” denotes it as the third known interstellar object.“I” stands for “interstellar.”“ATLAS” refers to the discovery telescope network that first spotted it. NASA’s data indicates that 3I/ATLAS’s nucleus is no larger than 5.6 kilometres, with an icy core surrounded by a coma—a bright halo of gas and dust that develops as it nears the Sun. Closest Approach and Visibility Comet 3I/ATLAS will pass at a minimum distance of 1.8 astronomical units (about 167 million miles or 270 million kilometres) from Earth. It will be closest to the Sun on October 30, at roughly 1.4 AU (210 million km), just inside Mars’ orbit. NASA has confirmed the object poses zero collision risk. However, its visibility to the naked eye is extremely limited. Astronomers note that its brightness (magnitude 12–14) makes it visible only through telescopes with at least an 8-inch aperture under dark skies. Currently, 3I/ATLAS is unobservable due to its position near the Sun (a phase called solar conjunction), but it may reappear by December 2025 for follow-up observations. Possible Alien Techonology Harvard astrophysicist Dr Avi Loeb has stirred debate after warning people to “take vacations before October 29,” suggesting that NASA may be withholding critical data about the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, currently passing through our solar system. The comet, roughly 5.6 km wide and travelling faster than any known interstellar visitor, has displayed unusual chemical emissions — including nickel tetracarbonyl, a compound previously observed only in industrial processes on Earth. Its precise trajectory and atypical behaviour have led Loeb to question whether 3I/ATLAS could be artificial in origin, reigniting discussions about possible extraterrestrial technology. While NASA maintains that the object poses no threat and will pass at a safe distance, Loeb argues that its composition “has never been observed in any natural celestial body.” However, not all scientists agree. Astronomers from the University of A Coruña in Spain have modelled 3I/ATLAS’s motion and found no signs of artificial interference, concluding that it likely originated from the galaxy’s thin disk, a 10-billion-year-old stellar region. They argue that the comet’s strange chemistry could reflect the unique conditions of another star system rather than intelligent design. Still, Loeb remains skeptical, insisting that “science should stay open to extraordinary possibilities.” With its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, the mystery surrounding 3I/ATLAS continues to fuel both scientific inquiry and speculation about what else might be journeying between the stars. Scientific Significance Images captured at Spain’s Teide Observatory in August 2025 show the comet’s tail flaring toward the Sun. Astrophysicist Miquel Serra-Ricart noted that its behaviour “follows standard cometary physics,” though its orbit and acceleration remain unusual. Meanwhile, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku has called it a “mystery interstellar object” moving along a path that offers clues about exoplanetary chemistry. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb added that its dynamics could reveal how materials formed in distant solar systems, although speculations about non-natural origins remain unproven. Chemical Composition Spectroscopic analysis shows traces of carbon dioxide, cyanide, and atomic nickel vapour, giving the comet its distinctive glow. These emissions, according to NASA, could help researchers understand the chemical building blocks present in other star systems during their early formation stages. Quick Facts: Comet 3I/ATLAS Closest Approach to Earth: 1.8 AU (≈167 million miles)Closest to the Sun (Perihelion): October 29–30, 2025Threat Level: None — safe distanceType: Interstellar cometOrigin: Distant star systemPath: Hyperbolic (one-time pass)Nucleus Size: Up to 5.6 kmSpeed: Approximately 137,000 mph (61 km/s) How to Track 3I/ATLAS in Real Time To follow the comet's journey, several online tools provide live tracking: TheSkyLive: Offers real-time position data, sky charts, and ephemerides for 3I/ATLAS. Star Walk 2: A mobile app that allows you to point your device at the sky to identify celestial objects, including 3I/ATLAS. Simply search for "C/2025 N1" within the app. Sky Tonight: Another mobile app that provides interactive sky maps and allows you to track 3I/ATLAS's position over time. Search for "C/2025 N1" to locate the comet.FAQs Q1: Will Comet 3I/ATLAS harm Earth? No. It will remain about 167 million miles away, a completely safe distance. Q2: Can it be seen without a telescope? No. It is too faint for the naked eye, visible only through a telescope under clear skies. (With inputs from NASA, NDTV Profit, The Economic Times, and international observatories)
