
Astronomers Discover Third Interstellar Comet: 3I/ATLAS Shakes Up Our Solar System!
2025-07-03
Author: Ming
A Visitor from Beyond the Stars
In an astonishing revelation, astronomers have detected a newly spotted comet that ventures from parts unknown—marking only the third time an interstellar object has graced our solar system!
Meet 3I/ATLAS!
Dubbed 3I/ATLAS, this enigmatic comet was first identified on Tuesday by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope stationed in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Its peculiar trajectory showcases that it has traveled beyond the confines of our solar system—an intriguing cosmic traveler!
Speeding Through Space
Hurtling through space at a jaw-dropping speed of approximately 37 miles (60 km) per second, 3I/ATLAS is currently located a staggering 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) away from Earth, hurtling towards us from the heart of the Milky Way.
What Lies Ahead?
Not much is known about this comet just yet, according to Larry Denneau, a University of Hawaii astronomer and co-principal investigator for ATLAS. "We are actively observing it with more advanced telescopes to unveil its mysterious composition," he stated with excitement.
The Interstellar Club
Interestingly, 3I/ATLAS joins the ranks alongside two other renowned interstellar visitors: 1I/'Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, and 2I/Borisov, found in 2019. "This comet bears similarities to 2I/Borisov, yet it is notably larger, potentially measuring around 10 km (6.2 miles) in diameter," Denneau noted.
A Dazzling Coma Awaits!
Currently, 3I/ATLAS displays a faint coma—an enigmatic cloud of gas and dust enveloping the nucleus of the comet. But here’s the thrilling part: as it approaches the sun, this coma and its tail could expand dramatically! Mark your calendars; its closest encounter with the sun is set for later this year, when it will skim just inside Mars' orbit.
No Need to Panic!
Fear not, Earthlings! This comet poses zero threat to our planet, ensuring it will never stray closer than 150 million miles (240 million km) away—more than one and a half times the distance between Earth and the sun. As of now, it's approximately 416 million miles from the sun and is expected to approach close to about 130 million miles (210 million km) from our star around October 30.
Continuous Vigilance from the Stars!
The ATLAS network, a groundbreaking NASA-funded initiative operated by the University of Hawaii, boasts five observatories worldwide that avidly scan the night sky. Their mission? To search for threatening space objects and reveal the secrets of the cosmos!