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NASA Confirms Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS as Safe Visitor to Solar System

NASA and a Chilean telescope have identified interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, confirming its safe passage through our solar system with no threat to Earth.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

  • NASA and a Chilean telescope have confirmed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as the third interstellar visitor to our solar system.
  • The comet is traveling at 37 miles per second and will reach its closest approach to the sun on October 30, 2023.
  • 3I/ATLAS will come within 130 million miles of the sun, ensuring a safe distance from Earth.
  • Astronomers are monitoring the comet's size, shape, and trajectory to gather data for further study.
  • Two other interstellar comets are also passing Earth safely, at distances of approximately 150 million and 420 million miles.

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources frame the discovery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS with a focus on scientific achievement and safety. They emphasize NASA's role in monitoring the comet, downplaying any potential threats to Earth. The tone reflects excitement about astronomical exploration while maintaining a cautious, informative perspective on the comet's trajectory.

NASA has officially named the newly discovered interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

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4 articles
75%

An interstellar comet was discovered on July 1 by a NASA telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile.

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2 articles
100%

The object is the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected in our cosmic neighborhood.

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2 articles
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The comet, originating beyond our solar system, is rapidly approaching the sun at a speed of 37 miles per second from the direction of Sagittarius, currently located about 420 million miles away near Jupiter.

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5 articles
60%

Astronomers worldwide are monitoring comet 3I/Atlas to determine its size and shape.

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3 articles
67%

The comet will make its closest approach to the sun in late October at a safe distance of 150 million miles from Earth, passing between the orbits of Mars and Earth.

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3 articles
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Articles (12)

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Center (7)

"…NASA has discovered a new interstellar comet that's currently located about 420 million miles away from Earth."

NASA finds new interstellar comet passing through solar system
CBS NewsCBS News·9h·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…An interstellar tourist is taking a quick trip through our solar system, becoming one of just three known objects to ever do so, according to NASA."

A comet from an entirely different solar system is flying through ours, NASA says
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·10h·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…NASA has named this latest interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, after detecting it this week with the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile."

NASA spots a new comet flying in from a distant star system
NPRNPR·14h·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The discovery of A11pl3Z, a massive interstellar object, opens up exciting possibilities for understanding the origins and characteristics of such celestial bodies."

Astronomers Are Tracking a Massive New Interstellar Object That Just Entered Our Solar System
The DebriefThe Debrief·15h·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

3I/ATLAS comes from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and is moving in a strongly hyperbolic orbit with an eccentricity of 6.2, reaching perihelion on October 29, 2025.

The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025, passing at about 270 million km from our planet.

3I/ATLAS is unique due to its highly eccentric orbit, with an eccentricity of 6.2, which is the highest among the three known interstellar objects.

History

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  • 11h
    The Debrief logo
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    3 articles
  • 14h
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    Scientific American logo
    5 articles