Overview
- 3I/ATLAS is at perihelion around October 29–30 at roughly 1.4 AU from the Sun, with its closest approach to Earth no nearer than about 1.8 AU, according to NASA.
- The object is the third confirmed interstellar visitor, discovered July 1 by the ATLAS survey and identified by its one‑off, hyperbolic trajectory.
- Spectra from major observatories report carbon dioxide, cyanide/hydrogen cyanide and atomic nickel vapour in the coma, findings that teams say require continued follow‑up.
- With Earth‑based views limited by solar conjunction, spacecraft and space telescopes are collecting data, and ESA’s JUICE mission is slated to observe it from deep space within days.
- Public speculation about an artificial origin persists, yet scientists and agencies report no evidence for technology and describe 3I/ATLAS as an unusual but natural comet.