NASA Discovers Interstellar Comet Moving Through Solar System

[Mr. Sparkle]

Source: Nasa



On July 1, the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, first reported observations of a comet that originated from interstellar space. Arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, the interstellar comet has been officially named 3I/ATLAS. It is currently located about 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) away.

Since that first report, observations from before the discovery have been gathered from the archives of three different ATLAS telescopes around the world and the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. These “pre-discovery” observations extend back to June 14. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported.

The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 1.6 astronomical units (about 150 million miles or 240 million km). It is currently about 4.5 au (about 416 million miles or 670 million km) from the Sun. 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest approach to the Sun around Oct. 30, at a distance of 1.4 au (about 130 million miles or 210 million km) — just inside the orbit of Mars.

The interstellar comet’s size and physical properties are being investigated by astronomers around the world. 3I/ATLAS should remain visible to ground-based telescopes through September, after which it will pass too close to the Sun to observe. It is expected to reappear on the other side of the Sun by early December, allowing for renewed observations.

Read more: https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/planetary-defense/2025/07/02/nasa-discovers-interstellar-comet-moving-through-solar-system/

[Igel]

1. Wonder if they'll be able to sort out isotope percentages for some of the elements. n/t

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

2. I have two theories:

1. It somehow escaped or was ejected from another star system.

2. It's a "galactic comet" that has always orbited around the center of the galaxy.

Should cause a lot of excitement in the world of astronomy.

[NickB79]

3. Or, it's an alien spaceship!

[Wicked Blue]

4. SMOD

Sweet Meteor of Doom

[JMCKUSICK]

5. Very cool,thank you Mr. Sparkle

[Bayard]

6. Is this another agency trump plans on shutting down?

Welcome Armageddon in our future.

It is a cool discovery though.

[SpankMe]

7. Leaving town

Is there a way I can hitch a ride on the comet and accompany it out of the solar system? I want the fuck out of here.

[BigmanPigman]

10. I was hoping it would hit Mar-a-logo

[SoFlaBro]

8. The fucking bugs sent that motherfucker. Better fucking evacuate Buenos Aires.

[SupportSanity]

9. Don't Look Up!

reference to the movie - about a comet heading directly towards earth.

great movie.