The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025. As it nears the Sun, the comet is expected to release gas and dust, providing scientists with valuable information about its composition.
Discovered on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) with assistance from a telescope, 3I/ATLAS marks a significant find as it becomes the third object identified from outside our solar system. This discovery continues to intrigue astronomers due to the comet”s unusual behavior and changing characteristics.
The Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of 3I/ATLAS soon after its discovery, revealing a peculiar feature known as an “anti-tail.” This anticola points towards the Sun, which is contrary to the typical tail direction expected from a comet.
According to NASA, data collected prior to the official discovery included observations from three ATLAS telescopes located around the globe and the Zwicky Transient Facility at Caltech”s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. By tracing the comet”s orbit backwards, astronomers confirmed that 3I/ATLAS originated from outside our solar system.
The name 3I/ATLAS reflects its discovery team and its interstellar nature. Typically, comets are named after the individual or group that first identifies them. The designation “I” indicates that this object is interstellar, while the “3” signifies that it is the third known interstellar object.
As the comet approaches, it is currently about 344,986,105.7 kilometers away from Earth. Observations indicate that it will reach its closest point to the Sun at 11:33 UTC (12:33 PM Colombian time) on October 30, 2025.
This event presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study the comet”s materials, which may provide insights into the building blocks of celestial bodies from other star systems.
