What it is: The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, sporting a mesmerizing tail.
Where it is: Zooming through the inner solar system, heading toward Mars.
When it was discovered: September 4, 2025.
As Comet Lemmon dazzles the night sky, another intriguing cosmic traveler is lurking beyond the sun: the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. This comet, believed to have emerged from an unknown star system, is only the third interstellar object ever detected in our solar system. It’s the largest and fastest of its kind, and possibly the oldest.
NASA confirmed its existence in early July, and now this icy wanderer is about to make its closest approach to the sun on October 29. This point, called perihelion, is when the comet will be a mere 1.4 astronomical units, or about 130 million miles, from our star. Following this, 3I/ATLAS will begin its long journey out of our solar system.
The images of 3I/ATLAS have sparked excitement among astronomers. One stunning photo taken on August 27 by the National Science Foundation’s Gemini South telescope shows the comet glowing as it races through space. As it nears the sun, heat causes its icy center to erupt with jets of gas and dust, forming a bright coma and a tail that trails behind.
Research suggests that this comet may reveal secrets about our galaxy’s history. According to a report from NASA, as 3I/ATLAS passes the sun, it could start to release gas dramatically. When it becomes visible to telescopes again in November, we might see it shine brighter than before. As it moves away, probes headed towards Jupiter will also be observing it, turning 3I/ATLAS into a well-observed cosmic celebrity.
Interestingly, historical parallels can be drawn with the comet Hale-Bopp, which passed through our solar system in 1997 and was visible for over a year. At that time, social media was only just beginning to rise, limiting how quickly information spread. Today, however, social media reacts instantly to such events. Users are sharing images and theories about 3I/ATLAS, making it a hot topic online.
Understanding more about 3I/ATLAS could not only inform us about interstellar objects but also provide insights into the building blocks of our solar system. For now, as we watch the comet approach, we can’t help but feel a sense of wonder about what it might reveal.
For additional information on this celestial body, visit NASA’s official page about Comet 3I/ATLAS.
