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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
JPL-Caltech
Explanation:
It came from outer space.
An object from outside
our Solar System is now passing through at high speed.
Classified as a comet because of its gaseous coma,
3I/ATLAS is
only
the third identified
macroscopic object as being
so alien.
The comet's trajectory is shown in white on the
featured map, where the orbits of
Jupiter,
Mars, and
Earth are shown in gold, red, and blue.
Currently Comet 3I/ATLAS is about the distance of Jupiter from the Sun --
but closing, with its closest approach to our Sun
expected to be within the orbit of
Mars in late October.
Expected to pass near both Mars and Jupiter,
3I/ATLAS is not expected to pass close to the Earth.
The origin of Comet 3I/ATLAS
remains unknown.
Although initial activity indicates a
relatively normal comet,
future observations about
3I/ATLAS'
composition and nature will surely continue.
Piece it All Together:
Astronomy Puzzle of the Day
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: comet
Publications with words: comet
See also:
- APOD: 2025 September 30 B Comet Lemmon Brightens
- APOD: 2025 September 29 B Two Camera Comets in One Sky
- APOD: 2025 September 26 B A SWAN an ATLAS and Mars
- APOD: 2025 September 18 B Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN
- APOD: 2025 September 16 B New Comet SWAN25B over Mexico
- Comet C/2025 F2 SWAN
- APOD: 2025 February 5 B Comet G3 ATLAS Setting over a Chilean Hill