3I/ATLAS is significantly much larger than the previously observed interstellar objects and there different estimates which vary a bit.
However, it is quite safe to say that 3I/ATLAS is thought to be at least 1 kilometer ( 0.6 miles ) wide and potentially as large as 20 kilometers ( 12 miles long ) and that it is big, folks!
3I/ATLAS was first spotted by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile on July 1, 2025
Close Approach to the Sun:
Official observations of 3I/ATLAS showed a hint of a dust tail, current data suggests it's not behaving like a typical comet, that it is, with a prominent tail or enveloping coma.
It's currently exhibiting only a very faint coma and dust, but this is expected to change as it gets closer to the Sun.
Perihelion:
3I/ATLAS will reach perihelion (closest point to the Sun) in late October 2025.
Any Litmus Test?
The fact is that the Perihelion passage will be a crucial test.
If 3I/ATLAS is a Comet, it should show enhanced outgassing and potentially a more prominent tail at that point.
3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the sun around October 29, 2025
It will pass nearer/closer to the Earth between 5th November and 19th of December 2025
3I/ATLAS will pass approximately 269 million kilometers or 167 million miles from Earth, which is well outside the Earth's orbit and if all remains as such, it supposedly poses no threat.
The closest approach to the EARTH will occur on December 19, 2025
3I/ATLAS is currently traveling through our solar system at approximately 130,000 miles per hour, (very unusual speed for being considered an asteroid) a.k.a. 209,000 kilometers per hour.
The high speed seems to confirm that we’re dealing with an Interstellar Object, meaning it originated from Outside our Solar System.
By the way, it is actually called 3i/Atlas and not the number 31/Atlas!
On the traditional, conservative mainstream popular assumption that it may in fact be just another comet after all, they are also pre-naming it asC/2025 N1 (ATLAS),however for now, in the present, there is no sure proof that it is as yet! Ergo the world-wide present name as3i/Atlas.
Cheers!
Sky
Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
p.s. The information was curated from different online news sources in UK, US & France!
COMET OR SPACESHIP?
by Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
on Tuesday
COMET OR SPACESHIP?
19thAug2025
FACTS:
(Before they may be erased or modified…)
3I/ATLAS is significantly much larger than the previously observed interstellar objects and there different estimates which vary a bit.
However, it is quite safe to say that 3I/ATLAS is thought to be at least 1 kilometer ( 0.6 miles ) wide and potentially as large as 20 kilometers ( 12 miles long ) and that it is big, folks!
3I/ATLAS was first spotted by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile on July 1, 2025
Close Approach to the Sun:
Official observations of 3I/ATLAS showed a hint of a dust tail, current data suggests it's not behaving like a typical comet, that it is, with a prominent tail or enveloping coma.
It's currently exhibiting only a very faint coma and dust, but this is expected to change as it gets closer to the Sun.
Perihelion:
3I/ATLAS will reach perihelion (closest point to the Sun) in late October 2025.
Any Litmus Test?
The fact is that the Perihelion passage will be a crucial test.
If 3I/ATLAS is a Comet, it should show enhanced outgassing and potentially a more prominent tail at that point.
3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the sun around October 29, 2025
It will pass nearer/closer to the Earth between 5th November and 19th of December 2025
3I/ATLAS will pass approximately 269 million kilometers or 167 million miles from Earth, which is well outside the Earth's orbit and if all remains as such, it supposedly poses no threat.
The closest approach to the EARTH will occur on December 19, 2025
3I/ATLAS is currently traveling through our solar system at approximately 130,000 miles per hour, (very unusual speed for being considered an asteroid) a.k.a. 209,000 kilometers per hour.
The high speed seems to confirm that we’re dealing with an Interstellar Object, meaning it originated from Outside our Solar System.
By the way, it is actually called 3i/Atlas and not the number 31/Atlas!
On the traditional, conservative mainstream popular assumption that it may in fact be just another comet after all, they are also pre-naming it as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), however for now, in the present, there is no sure proof that it is as yet! Ergo the world-wide present name as 3i/Atlas.
Cheers!
Sky
Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
p.s. The information was curated from different online news sources in UK, US & France!