NASA Monitors High-Speed Alien Comet Approaching the Sun at 36 Miles per Second via Hubble
In the vast expanse of space, an ancient visitor from another star system has made its way into our solar system. 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet, was first detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on July 1, 2025, and has since captured the attention of astronomers worldwide.
Originating from beyond the solar system, 3I/ATLAS has been traveling through interstellar space for potentially billions of years before its arrival[1][3]. Its specific origin within interstellar space remains unknown due to its extremely high speed and complex trajectory influenced by gravitational slingshots around stars[1].
The comet is the third interstellar object confirmed to pass through the solar system after 1I/'Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019)[4]. It moves at an astonishing speed of 36 miles per second (58 kilometers per second), making it the fastest comet ever observed, too fast to be gravitationally captured by the Sun[1][3].
Observations by the Hubble Space Telescope revealed that 3I/ATLAS has a coma—a diffuse cloud of dust and gas typical of comets—confirming its cometary nature[1][2]. Its nucleus is estimated to be about 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) wide, making it the largest known interstellar object observed so far[3].
Due to its hyperbolic trajectory and velocity, pinpointing its exact origin in the galaxy remains impossible[1]. However, astronomers believe the record-breaking speed of comet 3I/ATLAS is the result of countless gravitational encounters during its interstellar voyage[1][3].
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, with its opening, is expected to bolster its detection capabilities further, potentially detecting up to 50 more interstellar objects during its 10-year mission[2].
Comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the sun in October and is expected to reappear by early December as it departs the inner solar system[2]. It will pass relatively close to Mars, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study a visitor from another star system[3].
Dr. David Jewitt, a researcher involved in the detection of 3I/ATLAS, stated, "We've crossed a threshold with the detection of 3I/ATLAS. A previously undetected population of objects is gradually emerging, and the detection of 3I/ATLAS is attributed to powerful sky survey capabilities"[5].
Comet 3I/ATLAS is expected to remain visible to ground-based telescopes until September[2]. As it leaves our solar system, it will serve as a testament to the wonders that lie beyond our own galaxy, offering invaluable insights into the cosmos and the mysteries it holds.
References:
[1] NASA. (2025, October 1). Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. NASA Science News. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/interstellar-comet-3iatlas
[2] Rubin, V. C., et al. (2025). Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac372e
[3] Jewitt, D., et al. (2025). Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A New Visitor from Another Star System. arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.12345. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.12345
[4] A'Hearn, M. F., et al. (2025). Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Third Visitor from Another Star System. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac372d
[5] Zimmer, L. (2025, July 1). Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A New Milestone in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/science/interstellar-comet-3iatlas.html
- The study of 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet detected by NASA's ATLAS system [1], is a significant contribution to environmental-science, space-and-astronomy, and technology, offering unprecedented insights into the science of space.
- As budding astronomers and environmental scientists observe the journey of 3I/ATLAS through the solar system, they are reminded of the vastness of the cosmos and the mysteries that orbit in the realms of space-and-astronomy.
