Time is ticking for astronomers to unlock the secrets of 3I/ATLAS, the mesmerizing interstellar comet currently gracing our Solar System.

Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile, this celestial wanderer is a rare visitor with no threat to Earth, maintaining a safe distance of over 240 million kilometers (150 million miles). Yet, this icy relic from the depths of space will soon exit our cosmic neighborhood, making its study all the more urgent.

3I/ATLAS stands out as one of only three known interstellar objects to have ventured into our Solar System—following 1I/’Oumuamua, found in 2017, and 2I/Borisov, identified in 2019. Now, with eyes on the prize, astronomers are employing NASA's most sophisticated telescopes to gather invaluable data before it fades from view.

SPHEREx's Spectacular Findings

Between August 7-15, 2025, NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) turned its gaze toward 3I/ATLAS. This mission allowed scientists to perform multi-spectral observations, revealing the comet’s chemical makeup. Notably, they discovered a significant quantity of carbon dioxide gas in its coma—the hazy atmosphere encasing the comet—as well as water ice nestled within its nucleus.

James Webb Space Telescope Joins the Quest

On August 6, 2025, the cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope employed its Near-Infrared Spectrograph to further analyze 3I/ATLAS. Its findings mirrored those of SPHEREx, confirming the comet’s richness in carbon dioxide and presence of vital substances such as water ice, water vapor, carbon monoxide, and carbonyl sulfide.

What Lies Ahead for 3I/ATLAS?

Comet 3I/ATLAS will remain observable from now until September 2025, but soon it will edge too close to the Sun for visibility from Earth. Never fear—once it escapes the Sun’s glare, it will unveil itself once again in early December 2025, continuing its journey through the Solar System.

However, after that, it will vanish from sight for good. Until then, scientists are racing against the clock to unravel the mysteries of this extraordinary object, seeking knowledge that could illuminate our understanding of the universe.