NASA Discovers 3I/ATLAS – Third Interstellar Comet Detected in Solar System After ‘Oumuamua & Borisov.

Science and Technology

In July 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States of America (USA), officially confirmed the discovery of a rare interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1).


      - This newly discovered comet has originated from outside our solar system, making it the third-ever confirmed interstellar object (ISO) detected in our solar neighbourhood after 1I/‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).

      - The discovery was made by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) using a telescope situated in RĂ­o Hurtado, Chile. The interstellar comet is being monitored in coordination with the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Planetary Defence Office, which supports observation of potential near-Earth celestial threats.

      - 3I/ATLAS is currently travelling through the outer solar system at an estimated distance of 670 million kilometres from the Sun and is moving at an astonishing speed of 60 km/s (around 2,14,364 km/h). The diameter of the comet is estimated to be up to 20 km, making it a significantly large space object.

Main Point :-   (i) According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the Sun around October 30, 2025, and will pass near Mars on October 2, 2025. It will approach Earth most closely on December 19, 2025, but will still remain at a safe distance of approximately 270 million kilometres.

      (ii) The comet is expected to be visible until September 2025, after which it may temporarily disappear from telescopic view and is likely to reappear in December 2025. Scientists consider this object valuable for studying the origin and composition of icy celestial bodies from beyond our solar system.


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