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A cosmic visitor, the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, is making its closest approach to Earth this week. The comet will swing by at 269 million kilometres, offering a fleeting opportunity for astronomers worldwide before it continues its journey back to the stars. Discovered last summer, the comet has been in the spotlight, with NASA focusing its space telescopes on this icy traveller.

 

This comet's passage marks the third interstellar object observed in our solar system, originating from distant star systems in the Milky Way. Its trajectory will take it much closer to Jupiter in March, where it will zip by at a distance of 53 million kilometres. We expect it to re-enter interstellar space by the mid-2030s, continuing its journey beyond our view.

 

Paul Chodas, director of NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies, emphasises the uniqueness of such events, as these comets are rarely seen and provide insight into distant cosmic systems. The comet's discovery adds to the legacy of interstellar objects, following a similar event in 2017, when a telescope in Hawaii identified the first confirmed interstellar visitor.

 

NASA's Atlas telescope in Chile first spotted 3I/Atlas in July, adding another chapter to its ongoing sky surveys focused on hazardous asteroids. The comet, believed to be from a star system older than our own, is capturing the attention of scientists eager to study its composition and origins, reported ABC News.

 

Looking forward, the comet offers a brief yet significant chance for research and observation. Backyard astronomers are encouraged to take advantage before it fades into the vast night sky. Meanwhile, scientists anticipate gathering valuable data to shed light on the characteristics and trajectories of interstellar objects.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• Comet 3I/Atlas makes its closest pass to Earth, 269 million kilometres away.
• This comet marks the third known interstellar object recorded in our solar system.
• Scientists aim to gather insights on the comet's interstellar origins and trajectory.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from ABC News 2025-12-16

 

 

 

 

A spaceship according to more than a few. 😗

That's a close call. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The comet will swing by at 269 million kilometres, offering a fleeting opportunity for astronomers worldwide before it continues its journey back to the stars.

 

Unless they make a swing by Soi Cowboy.

 

If anyone is interested, this comet will be seen in the East Constellation Leo (which rises close to midnight(

37 minutes ago, parallelman said:

If anyone is interested, this comet will be seen in the East Constellation Leo (which rises close to midnight(

I am interested.   But as usual, for me, when an interstellar event happens the sky is overcast with clouds.   

8 hours ago, radiochaser said:

I am interested.   But as usual, for me, when an interstellar event happens the sky is overcast with clouds.   

For me light pollution is the problem and lack of seeing the horizon but the Constellation Leo will be around Zenith at 4:30 a.m. so I'll try about 2:30 a.m.

On 12/16/2025 at 12:56 AM, Mike_Hunt said:

That's a close call. 

Not really. The sun is about 150 million kilometers away. The comet has another 119 million on top of that. 
 

In regards to how vast space is, you could absolutely call it close, though. But as far as our nearest neighbors go…

On 12/16/2025 at 6:46 AM, daveAustin said:

A spaceship according to more than a few. 😗

 

If you have a very powerful telescope you might just make out Elvis at the controls on the bridge , right next to a bloke with pointed ears.

 

On 12/16/2025 at 6:22 AM, webfact said:

A cosmic visitor, the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, is making its closest approach to Earth this week.

Aliens tried to book a stay at the International Space Station but it was fully booked.