A rare visitor from beyond the Solar System is drawing global attention. Designated 3I/ATLAS, the object was discovered on 1 July 2025 by the ATLAS survey and quickly identified as an interstellar comet — only the third such confirmed visitor after 1I/‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). Astronomers worldwide have mounted an intense observing campaign to study its trajectory, size, composition and strange behaviour as it moves through the inner Solar System.
How it was found and why it’s “interstellar”
The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) — an automated sky-survey network funded in part by NASA and run from sites including Chile and Hawaii — first flagged the object on 1 July 2025. Follow-up orbit calculations showed the object’s velocity and incoming trajectory cannot be explained by a bound Solar System orbit; that hyperbolic path is the key criterion astronomers use to classify an object as interstellar. The discovery prompted rapid alerts to observatories and space agencies worldwide.
Size, speed and basic facts (verified)
- Designation: 3I/ATLAS (the “3I” indicates the third confirmed interstellar visitor).
- Speed at discovery: roughly 61 km/s (about 137,000 miles per hour); as it falls toward the Sun its heliocentric speed will change predictably with gravity.
- Estimated nucleus size: Hubble Space Telescope observations in August 2025 constrained the nucleus to at least ~440 metres (≈1,444 feet) and not greater than ~5.6 km (≈3.5 miles) in diameter — a wide range that reflects uncertainties in brightness, activity and dust production.
- Perihelion (closest point to the Sun): late October 2025 (the object passed inside Mars’s orbit during perihelion).
These are measured or modelled values reported by NASA and partner observatories; they are subject to refinement as more observations arrive.
What astronomers are seeing — activity and anomalies
3I/ATLAS has generated curiosity because it behaves differently from many ordinary comets:
- Observations from solar-monitoring spacecraft and ground telescopes showed rapid brightening near perihelion, and a coma (the fuzzy gas/dust envelope) dominated by gas emissions rather than the large dust clouds typical of many Solar System comets. Some teams reported a distinctly blue tint to the coma in specific observations — indicating strong gas (volatile) emission rather than sunlight scattered by dust. Several teams emphasised that apparent colour changes are subtle and must be interpreted cautiously
- The object has shown non-standard outgassing behaviour and other anomalies (for example, an anti-tail at times and unusually high gas ratios in early spectral reports). Scientists are still analysing whether these reflect composition differences, geometry effects, or transient activity such as sudden jets of gas. No single explanation has been confirmed yet.
Important: while sensational claims have circulated (including speculative conjectures), the mainstream scientific response is cautious: teams stress that rigorous spectroscopy, long-baseline astrometry and multi-wavelength observations are required before drawing firm conclusions. Independent specialists have explicitly warned against premature or exotic interpretations.
Who is observing 3I/ATLAS — the global response
Because interstellar visitors are so rare, observatories and space agencies moved fast to collect data across the electromagnetic spectrum:
- Space telescopes: Hubble provided size and activity constraints; teams around the world have also sought observations from infrared facilities and from JWST where scheduling permitted.
- Solar observatories: Instruments like SOHO and STEREO — designed to monitor the Sun — recorded the comet during its close pass and helped reveal the rapid brightening.
- National space agencies and ground networks: ESA, NASA and partner ground telescopes in Chile, Hawaii and Australia have taken targeted spectra and images to characterise composition and dynamics. European Space Agency scientists published updates summarising coordinated observations.
These coordinated observations are essential: because interstellar objects arrive from an unknown origin and pass quickly through the inner Solar System, international cooperation maximises the science return.
Scientific significance — why India should care
Is there any danger to Earth?
No. Multiple orbit solutions and NASA-funded tracking clearly show 3I/ATLAS poses no impact threat to Earth. Its path keeps it well away from collision trajectories; the scientific work concerns observation and analysis only.
Visibility from India — when and how to look (practical notes)
Visibility depends on the comet’s brightness (magnitude), sky location and local conditions. As of early November 2025, amateur astronomers have reported sightings with small telescopes and good eastern horizon views in pre-dawn skies; professional forecasts suggest the object will be best observed around December 2025, when it makes its closest approach to Earth (observers should consult up-to-date ephemerides). For accurate pointing and timing, use resources such as NASA/JPL Horizons, ESA observing notices, and local astronomy clubs for finder charts and observing tips. Dark skies and low eastern horizons at dawn will improve chances for amateur observers.
Caution about claims and rumours
Because 3I/ATLAS is unusual, speculative or sensational comments — including claims of alien technology or withheld “secret” images — surfaced quickly on social media. Scientists and reputable outlets urge caution: extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and currently available peer-reviewed data speak to unusual cometary behaviour, not to any non-natural explanation. For reliable updates, follow official pages from NASA, ESA and peer-reviewed publications.
Bottom line
3I/ATLAS is a scientifically precious and rare interstellar visitor. Its discovery and the subsequent international observing rush give astronomers a once-in-a-generation chance to examine material from another star system — improving our understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve. For India’s scientific community and curious skywatchers, the event is an opportunity for direct participation: through observations, public outreach and scientific collaboration. Follow official agency updates (NASA, ESA, JPL Horizons) for the latest vetted information, and avoid unverified social-media claims.
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Last Updated on: Saturday, November 8, 2025 4:14 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Saturday, November 8, 2025 4:14 pm | News Categories: News
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