⁠Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS – How To See? What Makes 3I/ATLAS Important?

Astronomers and amateur astronomers alike are excited about the upcoming approach of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS to Earth, which will occur in December 2025. Following `Oumuamua (2017) and Borisov (2019), this is the third known object from outside of our Solar System since we have been able to confirm its existence. 

On July 1, 2025, the asteroid Terrestrial-impact last-alert system discovered this Comet of ATLAS in Chile through the use of their survey telescope, which has continually tracked it as it travels through space at an incredible speed far beyond what we would expect from typical comets located inside our solar system. 

Scientists and amateur astronomers are preparing to observe the 3I/ATLAS Comet as it gets closer to Earth on December 19, 2025, using a telescope and photographic equipment. While 3I/ATLAS comet is still not visible to the naked eye due to its low brightness level, provided you have good observational conditions, 3I/ATLAS comet can be viewed with the proper equipment, which makes this one a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity!

What are its Source and Path?

• It arrived from the direction of the Sagittarius Constellation, which is close to the centre of our Milky Way galaxy.
• 3I’s orbit and speed indicate that it is not part of the solar system.
• It is expected to be billions of years old, possibly older than the solar system itself.

What Physical Characteristics Do 3I Possess?

• Comet activity consists of icy material and dust, which are jettisoned from the comet when solar temperatures raise them to a gaseous state, creating cometary tails and comas that can be seen in telescope images.
• 3I/ATLAS has a distinct tail and coma that can be seen in telescope images.
• The comet contains anti-tails, which are tail-like structures that may point toward the sun as a result of the sun’s gravitational force pulling them toward it.

What Makes 3I/ATLAS Scientifically Important?

Interstellar objects passing through our solar system are believed to be very rare occurrences. The most recent object discovered to date, 3I/ATLAS, is one of only two known examples, and offers a unique opportunity to learn about the external environment of our solar system, as well as to understand:

Characteristics and structures of other planetary systems

• Compositional and physical characteristics of 3I/ATLAS that might shed light on its formation conditions (e.g., presence of carbon-rich ices)
• Comparison of different types of comets found outside our solar system versus those that are found within our solar system, such as differences in their cometary tails, as well as the method by which particles are ejected.
• Images taken by NASA and other space agencies have included photography from Mars orbiters and have helped scientists refine their understanding of the size, composition, and trajectory of 3I/ATLAS.

When Should I Look For 3I/ATLAS?

• Date of Closest Approach: December 19, 2025
• Distance: Approximately 1.8 Astronomical Units (AU) (~170 million miles) from Earth

Is 3I/ATLAS Visible To The Naked Eye?

It is not currently possible to see 3I/ATLAS without using a telescope or very good binoculars under clear, dark skies. This is due to its proximity to our planet. However, it can be viewed in the early morning just before dawn.

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