Overview

• An arXiv study using ZTF observations extends the record back to about 17 au and finds sustained activity inward of roughly 6.5 au with a brightening law near r_h^-3.8.
• Dust production inferred from ZTF rose from about 5 kg/s in early May to around 30 kg/s by mid‑July, aligning with later Hubble estimates and consistent with CO2 turn‑on near 9 au.
• NASA’s Tom Statler says the object behaves like a natural comet and poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach remaining about 170 million miles.
• Hubble imagery indicates a nucleus up to roughly 3.5 miles across and an inbound speed near 130,000 mph, with a visible dust coma and a growing tail.
• 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor, and observatories are continuing coordinated monitoring as it heads toward a late‑October close pass to the Sun.