3I/ATLAS, formally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is an interstellar comet discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System on July 1, 2025. It is only the third confirmed interstellar object detected passing through our Solar System, following 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov. The comet is on an unbound, hyperbolic trajectory, meaning it will not return to the inner Solar System after its pass by the Sun.
This object is notable for its origin from outside our Solar System, providing a rare opportunity for astronomers to study material from another star system. Its path will not bring it closer than 1.8 AU from Earth, so it poses no impact threat. Furthermore, it is not expected to become bright enough for naked-eye or binocular viewing, making it primarily a target for telescopic observation.
Recently, 3I/ATLAS has been in the news due to a combination of scientific developments and public interest. Reports have covered topics such as refined trajectory data from the European Space Agency's Mars orbiter and a public livestream event allowing viewers to watch the comet. Some headlines have also highlighted scientific discussions around its puzzling characteristics, including its rotation, though more speculative claims about its nature are not part of the mainstream scientific consensus.
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- Comet C/2025 K1 (Atlas) Splits Up While Interstellar Object 3I/Atlas Continues to Puzzle Scientists - Weatherboy 2025-11-16 12:53 · Weatherboy
- 3I/ATLAS interstellar object could be steered by 'technological thrusters' after anomalies in rotation - Daily Star 2025-11-16 02:44 · Daily Star
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- Scientists track reappearance of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS tail - primetimer.com 2025-11-16 00:36 · primetimer.com
- Farewell to planet earth as we knew it - Elon Musk says a comet 3I/ATLAS impact could be worse than any catastrophe in recorded history - Unión Rayo 2025-11-15 23:00 · Unión Rayo
- Is 3I/ATLAS an alien spacecraft? Scientists baffled with anomalies - here's what they are saying - The Economic Times 2025-11-15 20:11 · The Economic Times
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