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
- 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
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 discovered a new interstellar comet that's currently located about 420 million miles away from Earth."
CBS News"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."
USA TODAY"The significant mass of the new interstellar object challenges expectations about the frequency of their visits to our solar neighborhood."
The Debrief"The months ahead offer a rare opportunity to study a celestial tourist from beyond our solar system."
NBC News"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."
NPR"The discovery of A11pl3Z, a massive interstellar object, opens up exciting possibilities for understanding the origins and characteristics of such celestial bodies."
The Debrief"NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that’s wandered into our backyard."
Associated PressArticles (12)
Center (7)
FAQ
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.
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