Comet 3I/Atlas fascinates researchers all over the world. NASA is therefore collecting as much data about the interstellar visitor as possible – and has now published new images.
November 20, 2025, 04:46November 20, 2025, 04:46
According to the US space agency NASA, comet 3I/Atlas, the third known interstellar object in the solar system, is being examined by researchers around the world in an “unprecedented solar system-wide observation campaign”. So far, twelve NASA telescopes and probes have been able to take pictures of the comet and more are planned, the US space agency announced at a press conference.
A NASA image of the comet.Image: keystone
So far, much is still unclear about the rather large interstellar guest, which is enveloped in gas and dust and is traveling rapidly through our solar system. The comet is expected to come closest to our planet on December 19th, when it approaches within 270 million kilometers. For comparison: the average distance from the Earth to the Sun is around 150 million kilometers. According to scientists, the comet does not pose a threat to Earth.
Here there are more shots and details.
Experts found the first visitor from another solar system that was clearly identified as such in 2017. 1I/’Oumuamua, a cigar-shaped object about 400 meters long, had flown past the sun at just a quarter of the distance from Earth. Another guest from afar followed in 2019: 2I/Borisov. (sda/dpa/con)