Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Visible for Limited Time

A remarkable interstellar object, known as Comet 3I/ATLAS, will be observable from ground-based telescopes for a few more nights before it approaches the sun, making it difficult to track. According to NASA, this comet, which is the third interstellar object ever detected, will remain visible until the end of September 2023. It is expected to reach its closest approach to the sun around October 30, 2023, passing just inside the orbit of Mars. After this initial observation period, the comet will become visible again by early December, as it re-emerges on the other side of the sun.

NASA has assured the public that Comet 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth, maintaining a safe distance of at least 150 million miles.

Discovery and Characteristics

Comet 3I/ATLAS was first identified on July 1, 2023, by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope based in Rio Hurtado, Chile. The telescope reported that this comet originated from interstellar space, specifically from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. Following its discovery, “pre-discovery” observations were collected, extending back to June 14, 2023.

The object is traveling towards the sun at an astonishing velocity of approximately 152,000 mph and follows a flat, straight trajectory that distinguishes it from other celestial bodies in the solar system.

Previous Interstellar Visitors

Comet 3I/ATLAS joins a select group of interstellar objects, with only two others known prior: Comet 2I/Borisov, which passed through in 2019, and ‘Oumuamua, a cigar-shaped entity that appeared in 2017. The latter sparked significant speculation on social media, with some suggesting it might have been an alien probe.

As Comet 3I/ATLAS continues its journey through the solar system, astronomers and space enthusiasts alike are encouraged to take advantage of this rare visibility before it becomes too close to the sun to observe. The opportunity to witness a comet of interstellar origin is a reminder of the vast and dynamic nature of our universe.