3I/ATLAS, formally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is an interstellar comet discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on 1 July 2025. It is the third confirmed interstellar object to pass through our Solar System, following 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov, as indicated by its "3I" prefix. The comet is on an unbound, hyperbolic trajectory, meaning it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun and will eventually leave the Solar System.
This object is notable because interstellar visitors provide rare, direct opportunities to study material from other star systems. Its composition and behavior can offer insights into planetary formation processes beyond our own cosmic neighborhood. However, 3I/ATLAS will not come closer than 1.8 astronomical units from Earth, poses no threat, and is not expected to become bright enough for naked-eye or binocular viewing.
Recently, 3I/ATLAS has been in the news due to new observational data released by NASA and other space agencies. As the comet passed behind the Sun, solar-observing missions like SOHO captured unique views, allowing scientists to study it from a different vantage point within the Solar System. These latest images and findings have been widely covered by science media, highlighting the ongoing international effort to analyze this interstellar traveler.
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- NASA releases new photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS - NBC News 2025-11-20 05:42 · NBC News
- NASA/ESA’s SOHO Observes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS - NASA Science (.gov) 2025-11-20 04:33 · NASA Science (.gov)
- NASA’s PUNCH Spies Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS - NASA Science (.gov) 2025-11-20 04:30 · NASA Science (.gov)
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- 3I/ATLAS: Astronomer Claims 'Misinformation' On Comet Traced To Avi Loeb - International Business Times UK 2025-11-20 01:03 · International Business Times UK
- Amid comet 3I/ATLAS mystery, NASA tracking two large bus-sized asteroids approaching Earth this week. Do t - The Economic Times 2025-11-19 16:01 · The Economic Times
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