Jorge Márcio Carvano, an astronomer at the National Observatory, recently provided crucial insights regarding the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during an interview. This comet, discovered in July 2025 by the ATLAS project, is projected to pass approximately 270 million kilometers from Earth, presenting no danger to our planet.
Carvano emphasized that misleading rumors have been circulating online, but scientific evidence confirms the comet”s natural origin. 3I/ATLAS is recognized as the third interstellar object identified, possessing a hyperbolic orbit that will ultimately lead it to exit the Solar System permanently.
Initial observations indicated a dust coma and ice composition, characteristics typical of comets, and no signs of artificial creation. This comet was formed around a distant star and was expelled during the process of planetary formation, having traversed interstellar space for billions of years.
Researchers are actively monitoring 3I/ATLAS to analyze its chemical makeup, which is expected to differ from that of local comets. The comet”s perihelion, the closest point to the Sun, occurred on October 29, 2025. Comets are composed of ice, dust, and organic compounds, and as they approach the Sun, the ice sublimates, releasing materials that create the characteristic coma and tails, which can extend for thousands of kilometers.
Carvano explained that gas jets can slightly modify a comet”s orbit. Dust particles reflect sunlight, enhancing the comet”s brightness. Typically, comet nuclei can measure up to 10 kilometers and exhibit irregular shapes. Some rumors have suggested anomalies in the comet”s trajectory and mass. However, Carvano clarified that the low orbital inclination is merely coincidental, with no evidence indicating deliberate maneuvers.
Initial size assessments were based on brightness measurements without accounting for the coma”s effects. Updated data have adjusted the estimated radius to align with known comet sizes. The compounds detected in 3I/ATLAS show varied proportions, which is expected for objects originating from different systems.
The ATLAS project, based at the University of Hawaii, made the initial detection of the comet. An international network known as IAWN conducted a campaign on October 21 to refine measurements and test observational protocols, as well as to examine the effects of jet activity. There is no risk of collision with Earth, even with minimal orbit deviations.
Telescopes such as Gemini South have captured detailed images of the comet”s coma. While NASA funds some of the observations, it does not oversee all global astronomical efforts, as other agencies and independent researchers also contribute valuable data. Transparency in disclosures ensures the public remains informed.
The Minor Planet Center coordinates the reporting of orbital data. Interstellar orbits can vary in inclination based on their original ejection angles. Although 3I/ATLAS crosses the ecliptic plane, it follows a natural trajectory. Comparisons with other interstellar objects, such as 1I/”Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, reveal a diversity that does not suggest artificial patterns.
Ongoing studies aim to map variations in sublimation processes. The comet presents a unique opportunity to gain insights into distant planetary systems, and astronomers have planned additional spectroscopic analyses in the upcoming months.
