On July 1, 2025, the ATLAS telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile, made a groundbreaking discovery: the detection of comet 3I/ATLAS. This marks the third interstellar object known to traverse our solar system, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. This event provides a unique opportunity for scientists worldwide.
Traveling at approximately 68 km/s, the comet is estimated to be between 10 and 30 kilometers in diameter. Its hyperbolic trajectory confirms its origin outside our solar system, possibly from the galactic disk. The comet is currently within Jupiter's orbit, about 670 million kilometers from the Sun.
The comet's closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) is expected on October 30, 2025, just inside Mars' orbit. While its closest approach to Earth will be on December 19, 2025, experts confirm no collision risk. International scientific collaboration is underway to study the comet's composition, potentially revealing clues about planet formation and stellar system evolution.
The comet is expected to be visible through ground-based telescopes until September 2025. It will then reappear in early December, offering a second chance for detailed study. This rare celestial encounter promises valuable information about interstellar bodies and their role in shaping planetary systems.