What is the 3I/ATLAS comet?

The 3I/ATLAS comet is a fast-moving interstellar object discovered by NASA's ATLAS telescope in July 2025, sparking online rumors of an alien spacecraft.

When will the 3I/ATLAS comet reach its closest point to the Sun?

The 3I/ATLAS comet is expected to reach its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, on October 30, 2025.

How will space agencies study the 3I/ATLAS comet?

NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) will use spacecraft already in the solar system, such as Mars orbiters and the Psyche mission, to closely observe the 3I/ATLAS comet as it approaches the Sun in late 2025.

Home / Science / Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captivates Astronomers, Debunks Alien Spacecraft Rumors

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captivates Astronomers, Debunks Alien Spacecraft Rumors

4 Oct

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Summary

Comet 3I/ATLAS discovered by NASA's ATLAS telescope in July 2025
Traveling at record-breaking speed of 210,000 km/h, fastest ever observed
NASA and ESA confirm comet poses no threat to Earth, offers rare study opportunity

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captivates Astronomers, Debunks Alien Spacecraft Rumors

On July 1, 2025, NASA's ATLAS telescope in Chile discovered a comet hurtling through space at a record-breaking speed of 210,000 km/h (130,500 mph), the fastest ever observed. This interstellar visitor, officially named 3I/ATLAS, immediately sparked online speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft.

Despite the online frenzy, both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have confirmed that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth. The comet's closest approach was on July 21, 2025, when it passed about 270 million km (167.8 million miles) from our planet—over 700 times the distance to the Moon.