{"id":641773,"date":"2025-12-19T07:19:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T07:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/641773\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T07:19:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T07:19:01","slug":"latest-comet-3i-atlas-news-comet-close-approach-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/641773\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Comet 3I\/ATLAS news: Comet close approach today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Refresh <\/p>\n<p>2025-12-19T06:07:53.455Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-did-you-see-it-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-has-just-zoomed-past-earth\"\/>Did you see it? Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS has just zoomed past Earth! <\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:62.50%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/juhLP47xuoLZ754pkD2RDR.jpg\" alt=\"A deep image of interstellar Comet 3I\/ATLAS captured by the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini North on Maunakea in Hawai&amp;lsquo;i, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by NSF NOIRLab. The image shows the comet&amp;rsquo;s coma &amp;mdash; a cloud of gas and dust that forms around the comet&amp;rsquo;s icy nucleus in the vicinity of the Sun. 3I\/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System. The exposures tracked the comet as it traveled across the sky, and the final image is composed to freeze the stars in place during the observation. An almost invisible, unknown main belt asteroid is photobombing the image to the lower right of the comet.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/juhLP47xuoLZ754pkD2RDR.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/juhLP47xuoLZ754pkD2RDR.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>A deep image of interstellar Comet 3I\/ATLAS captured by the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini North on Maunakea in Hawai\u2018i, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by NSF NOIRLab. (Image credit: International Gemini Observatory\/NOIRLab\/NSF\/AURA\/B. BolinImage Processing: J. Miller &amp; M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory\/NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage\/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab))<\/p>\n<p id=\"33c277fd-9ba5-471e-8d2f-003798ce99a4\">Good morning space fans!<\/p>\n<p>Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS made its closest approach to Earth moments ago, passing within 168 million miles (270 million km) of our planet. The icy visitor will now continue its journey through the outer solar system, passing Jupiter in early 2026, crossing the orbits of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune by 2028 and then head out to interstellar space, never to return.<\/p>\n<p>As some of you may be aware, the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comet livestream<\/a> hosted by Gianluca Masi with the Virtual Telescope Project has been postponed until 11 p.m. EST Friday night, Dec. 19 (0400 GMT on Dec. 20), weather permitting. Join us later today to catch a glimpse of 3I\/ATLAS before it&#8217;s gone forever!<\/p>\n<p>Stay tuned today as we continue to bring you the latest Comet 3\/I ATLAS news and bid farewell to our icy visitor.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" alt=\"a woman stands smiling at the camera wearing a yellow hat. Behind her the northern lights stretch across the sky as ribbons of green light. \"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Daisy Dobrijevic<\/p>\n<p>Reference Editor<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-19T05:11:00.814Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-1-hour-until-comet-3i-atlas-is-closest-to-earth\"\/>1 hour until comet 3I\/ATLAS is closest to Earth<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.26%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" alt=\"The orbit of interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS is shown beyond the orbit of Mars ahead of its closest pass of Earth\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)<\/p>\n<p id=\"cc631954-8252-4f2c-ad09-a30caf8945a1\">We are now one hour away and counting until the closest approach to Earth by comet 3I\/ATLAS, the interstellar comet from beyond our solar system.<\/p>\n<p>As of 12:08 a.m. EST (0500 GMT), the comet is beyond the orbit of Mars, as it is about 166.8 milion miles (286.5 million km) from Earth, according to <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/eyes.nasa.gov\/apps\/solar-system\/#\/c_2025_n1\/distance?to=earth\" target=\"_blank\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA&#8217;s Eyes On The Solar System site.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s closest poitn to Earth will come at abotu 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT).<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-19T04:10:34.799Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-2-hours-to-comet-3i-atlas-flyby-livestream-postponed\"\/>2 hours to Comet 3I\/ATLAS flyby: Livestream postponed<\/p>\n<p>Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS, closest approach to the Earth: online observation \u2013 20 Dec. 2025. &#8211; YouTube<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766128704_650_maxresdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS, closest approach to the Earth: online observation \u2013 20 Dec. 2025. - YouTube\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"watch-on-youtube-ficGuvPxV0s\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ficGuvPxV0s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"7b3253c4-2a5f-4241-a37a-fee28b5a9441\">The interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS is now less than 2 hours away from its closest approach to Earth.<\/p>\n<p>We were expecting to begin sharing a livestream of the comet as seen by astrophysicist Gianluca Masi with the Virtual Telescope Project in Ceccano, Italy. However, Masi reports that rain over his observing site is thwarting observations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Because of rain, this event has been postponed,&#8221; Masi wrote in an update.<\/p>\n<p>The livestream has been rescheduled for Friday night, Dec. 19, at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT).<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, comet 3I\/ATLAS continues on its course by Earth. <\/p>\n<p>As of 11 p.m. ET tonight, it was 166.8 milion miles (286.5 million km) from Earth and traveling at about 148,600 mies per hour (239,200 km\/h), <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/eyes.nasa.gov\/apps\/solar-system\/#\/c_2025_n1\/distance?to=earth\" target=\"_blank\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">according to NASA&#8217;s Eyes On The Solar System.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T22:59:12.472Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-see-you-at-11-pm-et-for-comet-3i-atlas-s-earth-approach\"\/>See you at 11 pm ET for comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s Earth approach!<\/p>\n<p id=\"7640fbc6-707c-4e07-b1ed-90312eea05ee\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Okay, space fans, we&#8217;re going to pause our updates for interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS for a few hours as we await the final countdown to its 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) approach to Earth. Thanks for joining us today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We&#8217;ll be back at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT) with the start of the livestream coverage of the comet from the Virtual Telescope Project by Gianluca Masi of Ceccano, Italy. PLEASE NOTE: The livestream is weather dependent. If the skies are cloudy over Ceccano, the livestream could be delayed or canceled. But we&#8217;re hoping for good weather. See you at 11 p.m. ET, space fans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Good night!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T21:59:34.260Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-3i-atlas-close-earth-flyby-what-to-know-tonight\"\/>3I\/ATLAS close Earth flyby: What to know tonight<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" alt=\"graphic showing comet 3I\/ATLAS on a laptop screen against a background of stars\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to watch one of the three 3I\/ATLAS livestreams, (Image credit: Comet inset image &#8211; Gianluca Masi\/Virtual Telescope Project. Graphic made in Canva Pro)<\/p>\n<p id=\"1556092d-9e2b-4de0-bd34-195257a34367\">Okay, space fans, it&#8217;s nearly make or break time for the close Earth flyby of the interstellar <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In case you&#8217;re just joining us, we are now just hours away from the closest approach to Earth by the interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS. We&#8217;ve been offering live coverage over the last two days for the flyby, with a series of stories and guides online, including <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to watch the flyby in a livestream<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/stargazing\/4-ways-to-track-3i-atlas-without-a-telescope-as-it-makes-its-closest-approach-to-earth-tonight\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/stargazing\/4-ways-to-track-3i-atlas-without-a-telescope-as-it-makes-its-closest-approach-to-earth-tonight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">different ways to track the comet<\/a> and more. But it all goes down tonight. Comet 3I\/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) tonight, when it will come within 168 million miles (270 million km) of our planet. That&#8217;s about 1.8 astronomical units, or nearly twice as far from Earth as our own planet is away from the sun. So there&#8217;s no danger of an impact to Earth.<\/p>\n<p>Scientists around the world have been tracking the interstellar comet to understand how it differs from the comets and dust we see in our own solar system.<\/p>\n<p>Comet 3I\/ATLAS is the third known interstellar comet after 2017&#8217;s 1I\/&#8217;Oumuamua and 2019&#8217;s 2I\/Borisov. It was discovered on July 1, 2025 and made its closest approach to the sun in October. Now it is looping outward to exit the solar system. Once it&#8217;s gone, it will be gone forever.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T21:13:09.473Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-nasa-s-europa-clipper-sees-comet-3i-atlas\"\/>NASA&#8217;s Europa Clipper sees comet 3I\/ATLAS!<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:45.80%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7o3aoe2L9cxNmQALYLN4NG.png\" alt=\"A fuzzy blue blob and two dust tails in an ultraviolet comet photo from NASA's Europa Clipper.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7o3aoe2L9cxNmQALYLN4NG.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7o3aoe2L9cxNmQALYLN4NG.png\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/SwRI)<\/p>\n<p id=\"7189401b-8389-4652-8997-5c82b68a69ee\">It may look like only a pale blue blob, but this is definitely the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This image was taken by NASA&#8217;s Europa Clipper spacecraft, which is on its way to the Jupiter moon <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/15498-europa-sdcmp.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/15498-europa-sdcmp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa<\/a>, and publicly unveiled to the world today (Dec. 18), just one day before the comet&#8217;s closest approach to Earth on Dec. 19.<\/p>\n<p>The <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/europa-clipper-mission-explained\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/europa-clipper-mission-explained\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa Clipper<\/a> spacecraft used its Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) developed by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to observe comet 3I\/ATLAS on Nov. 6 at a time when it could not be seen properly from telescopes on Earth and spacecraft orbiting Mars. At the time, Europa Clipper was about 103 million miles (164 million kilometers) away from the comet.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019re excited that this opportunity to view another target on the way to Jupiter was completely unexpected,\u201d SwRi&#8217;s Kurt Retherford, principal investigator for Europa-UVS, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swri.org\/newsroom\/press-releases\/europa-clipper-instrument-uniquely-observed-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas\" target=\"_blank\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">said in a statement<\/a>. &#8220;Our observations have allowed for a unique and nuanced view of the comet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Europa Clipper image looks sunward towards comet 3I\/ATLAS, revealing its twin tails from behind, as well as a glimpse at the comet&#8217;s head-like coma and surronding cloud of gas. The UVS instrument found signs of oxygen, hydrogen and dust-related features, &#8220;supporting the preponderance of data indicating that comet 3I\/ATLAS underwent a period of high outgassing activity during the period just after its closest approach to the Sun,&#8221; SWRI reported. <\/p>\n<p>NASA launched Europa Clipper toward <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/7-jupiter-largest-planet-solar-system.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/7-jupiter-largest-planet-solar-system.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jupiter<\/a> in 2024. It should arrive at Jupiter in 2030 to begin orbiting the icy moon Europa.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T20:24:58.356Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-how-you-can-track-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas\"\/>How you can track interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS <\/p>\n<p id=\"b2d003ad-0462-4d8c-b66d-6bc4c575d1df\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">You may not be able to see 3I\/ATLAS with your own eyes or most telescopes, but there are multiple ways you can track it from home.In fact, there are four different ways you can track the interstellar comet right now, according to our skywatching writer Anthony Wood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The coolest way to track comet 3I\/ATLAS is through NASA&#8217;s Eyes on the Solar System website, which allows you to follow the comet&#8217;s progress in a very accessible format by creating a 3D model based on real-life observations. You can see that feature below as well, right now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-59048bbf-a2cd-4bf3-8d9a-708a270208b4\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"163f9208-6a0a-4037-ac6c-d89687fe7be9\">But there are other ways. The <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cobs.si\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comet Observation Database<\/a> allows you to track the comet&#8217;s brightness over time based on observations from amateur astronomers. A <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/best-stargazing-apps\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/best-stargazing-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">smartphone astronomy app<\/a> (I like to use SkySafari) can also allow you to pinpoint where comet 3I\/ATLAS is in the sky, even if we can&#8217;t see it with the naked eye.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, there is the Virtual Telescope Project run by astrophycisit Gianluca Masi, which will offer a <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">livestream of comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a> during its closest approach. That livestream begins at 11 p.m. ET (0400 GMT) and will run through the closest approach at 1 a.m. ET (0600 GMT), weather permitting.Happy comet hunting!<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T18:39:40.702Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-what-time-is-comet-3i-atlas-s-closest-earth-approach\"\/>What time is comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s closest Earth approach?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3Hh2A2S6ogerWQ3GNHxQc5.jpg\" alt=\"graphic showing earth on the left and interstellar comet 3I Atlas on the right\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3Hh2A2S6ogerWQ3GNHxQc5.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3Hh2A2S6ogerWQ3GNHxQc5.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Comet: NASA, ESA, STScI, D. Jewitt (UCLA). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)). Graphic created in Canva Pro.)<\/p>\n<p id=\"3decdfb7-2cdd-4afa-9d09-2b7ed86cd01d\">If you&#8217;re hoping to try and watch comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s closest approach to Earth live online, it would help to know exactly when to tune in. But don&#8217;t worry, space fans, we&#8217;ve got you covered.<\/p>\n<p>As Space.com&#8217;s<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/what-time-will-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-be-closest-to-earth-on-dec-19\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/what-time-will-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-be-closest-to-earth-on-dec-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Daisy Dobrijevic reports<\/a>, comet 3I\/ATLAS closest point to Earth will occur at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) as it zips past our planet at a whopping 144.1 thousand mph (231.9 thousand kph). At the time, it will be 168 million miles (270 million km) from Earth.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll be able to <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">watch the flyby live online<\/a> starting at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT), courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project. Comet 3I\/ATLAS is too far from Earth to see with the unaided eye, and you&#8217;d need a large telescope to try and spot it, so the livestream may be one of our last public looks at the interstellar visitor as it passes by.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T17:03:08.014Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-how-fast-is-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-going\"\/>How fast is interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS going?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/oBJYikUHtrr7HPK3rKFXsm.jpg\" alt=\"A simulation of the solar system showing the orbits of Jupiter and its moons in March 2026, as the interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS performs a flyby.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/oBJYikUHtrr7HPK3rKFXsm.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/oBJYikUHtrr7HPK3rKFXsm.jpg\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/oBJYikUHtrr7HPK3rKFXsm.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>A simulation of the solar system showing the orbits of Jupiter and its moons in March 2026, as the interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS performs a flyby. (Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)<\/p>\n<p id=\"90436bc4-02e3-4601-a6c4-a2fd961a11c1\">Having made its <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/you-wont-see-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-zoom-closest-to-the-sun-on-oct-30-but-these-spacecraft-will\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/you-wont-see-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-zoom-closest-to-the-sun-on-oct-30-but-these-spacecraft-will\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">closest approach to the sun<\/a> on Oct. 30, comet 3I\/ATLAS is now on its way back out of the solar system, charging away from our parent star at a breathtaking speed of 144.1 thousand miles per hour (231.9 thousand kilometers per hour) as it heads towards interstellar space.<\/p>\n<p>The ancient interloper is already well beyond the orbit of Mars ahead of its closest pass of Earth on Dec. 19. Its next planetary rendezvous will be with Jupiter in March next year, when it will pass 36 million miles (58 million kilometers) from the gas giant, before continuing on an incident-free course to exit the heliosphere.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" alt=\"Anthony is pictured standing next to his telescope.\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Anthony Wood<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Skywatching Writer<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T16:00:24.609Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-spacecraft-reveal-3i-atlas-s-x-ray-signature\"\/>Spacecraft reveal 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s X-ray signature<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gKxYddnfqtsjfkJQCLoT6Z.jpg\" alt=\"A red glowing light surrounded by black edges with cracks of black throughout the image\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gKxYddnfqtsjfkJQCLoT6Z.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gKxYddnfqtsjfkJQCLoT6Z.jpg\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gKxYddnfqtsjfkJQCLoT6Z.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS shines in X-ray light. (Image credit: ESA\/XMM-Newton\/C. Lisse, S. Cabot &amp; the XMM ISO Team)<\/p>\n<p id=\"ee46d7d2-5f22-4c51-8eee-7a55900b8f39\">Scientists are working hard to collect valuable data on 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s spectral fingerprint before it disappears from our skies for good, in an attempt to shed light on the composition of the distant star system where it was born.<\/p>\n<p>The European Space Agency&#8217;s XMM-Newton observatory and the Japanese space agency-led X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) revealed a vast 250,000 mile (400,000 kilometer) X-ray glow extending from the comet&#8217;s nucleus. An analysis of this X-ray light, emitted by gasses interacting with the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/22215-solar-wind.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/22215-solar-wind.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solar wind<\/a>, will help scientists understand how the comet is being influenced by the high-energy environment surrounding our star after its marathon voyage through <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/interstellar-space-definition-explanation\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/interstellar-space-definition-explanation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interstellar space<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Read the full story here: <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/scientists-detect-x-ray-glow-from-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-extending-250-000-out-miles-into-space\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/scientists-detect-x-ray-glow-from-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-extending-250-000-out-miles-into-space\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists detect X-ray glow from interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS extending 250,000 miles into space<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" alt=\"Anthony is pictured standing next to his telescope.\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/589utRDu67QWgzEzPxrvv8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Anthony Wood<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Skywatching Writer<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T14:53:53.700Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-just-revealed-its-secret-wobble\"\/>Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS just revealed its secret wobble<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:77.88%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766128725_83_HbKuhxiY8bfoBQgfy6fRW4.gif\" alt=\"gif animation showing fuzzy comet.\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766128725_83_HbKuhxiY8bfoBQgfy6fRW4.gif\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766128725_83_HbKuhxiY8bfoBQgfy6fRW4.gif\" class=\"inline\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Miquel Serra-Ricart \/ Light Bridges)<\/p>\n<p id=\"30537402-5d6e-4445-bb55-12dfcd4d0c11\">Astronomers have spotted the first-ever wobbling jet from an interstellar comet and it is changing how we understand visitors from beyond our solar system.<\/p>\n<p>Using the Two-meter Twin Telescope at Tenerife&#8217;s Teide Observatory, researchers detected a faint jet of gas and dust blasting from 3I\/ATLAS, slowly wobbling as the comet rotates. Crucially, that rhythmic motion confirms that 3I\/ATLAS spins once every 14-17 hours, making it the first interstellar comet with a directly measured rotation period tied to visible activity on its surface.<\/p>\n<p>What surprised scientists most is how familiar the behavior looks. Despite forming around another star, 3I\/ATLAS behaves much like comets born closer to home. Scientists describe it as an &#8220;extraordinarily normal interstellar comet,&#8221; complete with sunlight-driven jets.<\/p>\n<p>The findings of this study are published in the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aanda.org\/articles\/aa\/pdf\/forth\/aa58072-25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" alt=\"a woman stands smiling at the camera wearing a yellow hat. Behind her the northern lights stretch across the sky as ribbons of green light. \"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pkTdGWpESciNKAMSD6DjD4.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Daisy Dobrijevic<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Reference Editor<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T14:00:03.971Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-how-comet-3i-atlas-captured-our-hearts-with-mystery\"\/>How comet 3I\/ATLAS captured our hearts with mystery<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/W6BUCYZxEXACnXsP3C4DZL.png\" alt=\"A series of four photos, one large one on the right and three stacked on the left showing various dots of comet 3I\/ATLAS\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/W6BUCYZxEXACnXsP3C4DZL.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/W6BUCYZxEXACnXsP3C4DZL.png\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/W6BUCYZxEXACnXsP3C4DZL.png\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>3I\/ATLAS as viewed through the eyes of NASA assets spread throughout the solar system. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n<p id=\"f54b4558-ecb6-44ae-96ea-a69d9783bbd7\">We&#8217;ll admit it: We would love it if the interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS really was an alien spaceship, but at the end of the day, it&#8217;s still a comet. Yet that does not mean 3I\/ATLAS isn&#8217;t still completely amazing; otherwise, we wouldn&#8217;t have covered the comet&#8217;s passage through our solar system as we&#8217;ve done over the last six months.<\/p>\n<p>Why not read up on the four key things that NASA revealed about the comet in a long-awaited briefing following the reopening of the U.S. government in November? At the event, NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya explained &#8220;we very much want to find signs of life in our universe,&#8221; before re-iterating, &#8220;but 3I\/ATLAS is a comet&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Full article: <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/4-key-things-nasa-just-revealed-about-the-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/4-key-things-nasa-just-revealed-about-the-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4 key things NASA just revealed about the interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-18T11:57:53.216Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-comet-3i-atlas-is-less-than-1-day-away-from-earth-flyby\"\/>Comet 3I\/ATLAS is less than 1 day away from Earth flyby<\/p>\n<p id=\"a9f30721-9b45-4342-bdc4-e2f24707d297\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Good morning, space fans! We are officially T-1 day away from the closest approach to Earth of comet 3I\/ATLAS, with the flyby set for early Friday, Dec. 19.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We&#8217;re keeping a close eye on the comet&#8217;s progress and as of this posting, comet 3I\/ATLAS is about 166.8 million miles (268.5 million kilometers) from Earth and closing. But there&#8217;s no need to worry about the comet&#8217;s approach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">At its closest point, comet 3I\/ATLAS will be about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers) away. After that, it will get farther and farther with each passing minute until it&#8217;s off to visit some other solar system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We&#8217;ve got a great set of comet stories for you today, so check back here for the latest on 3I\/ATLAS as we get closer to its Earth flyby.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T21:59:03.644Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-good-night-for-now\"\/>Good night, for now. <\/p>\n<p id=\"2f808227-f1e7-4669-a166-3a0b64d53409\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Good evening, Space Fans. We&#8217;re wrapping up today&#8217;s T-2 day countdown to the comet 3I\/ATLAS flyby of Earth, but we&#8217;ll be back tomorrow with another series of stories and a look back at the comet&#8217;s legacy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Tune in then!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T19:59:06.297Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-is-comet-3i-atlas-really-a-comet\"\/>Is comet 3I\/ATLAS really a comet? <\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/i3VPvNU8cC2xNyzh8M8ezL.jpg\" alt=\"a fuzzy white blob on a black background\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/i3VPvNU8cC2xNyzh8M8ezL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/i3VPvNU8cC2xNyzh8M8ezL.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>One of the images NASA recently released of interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS, this one taken from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. (Image credit: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/University of Arizona)<\/p>\n<p id=\"aeeb8e83-f8a5-4d24-8cc2-8a73509d4a62\">You&#8217;ve probably heard all the theories: It&#8217;s really an alien spaceship. It&#8217;s changed direction. It spat out a tiny spacecraft.<\/p>\n<p>Well, NASA recently made it official: Comet 3I\/ATLAS is just what it looks like &#8211; a comet from beyond our solar system. In late November, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/nasa-reveals-new-images-of-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-from-across-the-solar-system-it-looks-and-behaves-like-a-comet\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/nasa-reveals-new-images-of-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-from-across-the-solar-system-it-looks-and-behaves-like-a-comet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA held a televised press conference<\/a> to put the comet 3I\/ATLAS rumours to bed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It looks and behaves like a comet, and all evidence points to it being a comet. But this one came from outside the solar system, which makes it fascinating, exciting and scientifically very important,&#8221; NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya told reporters during the press briefing.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/nasa-reveals-new-images-of-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-from-across-the-solar-system-it-looks-and-behaves-like-a-comet\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/nasa-reveals-new-images-of-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-from-across-the-solar-system-it-looks-and-behaves-like-a-comet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here&#8217;s the full story on NASA&#8217;s take on comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T18:59:22.574Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-not-the-first-interstellar-comet\"\/>Not the first interstellar comet<\/p>\n<p id=\"e265834e-a09a-4465-83fc-9b50992effb4\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As its name suggests, comet 3I\/ATLAS is not the first interstellar object known to come from beyond our solar system. To date, there have been three in total (hence the &#8220;3I&#8221; in the name, it stands for &#8220;3 Interstellar&#8221;).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s discovery in 2025 followed the discovery of the first interstellar object, 1I\/<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/oumuamua.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/oumuamua.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;Oumuamua<\/a>, in 2017. Two years later, another object was spotted. That one was called comet 2I\/Borisov in 2019. Both <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/oumuamua.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/oumuamua.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;Oumuamua<\/a> and 2I\/Borisov spent months passing through the solar system, only to leave us behind for the void of interstellar space.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The same fate awaits 3I\/ATLAS, so we should enjoy the comet while it&#8217;s with us.<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T17:00:56.523Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-how-far-is-comet-3i-atlas-from-earth-right-now\"\/>How far is Comet 3I\/ATLAS from Earth right now?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.26%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" alt=\"The orbit of interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS is shown beyond the orbit of Mars ahead of its closest pass of Earth\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emygq2RfSufcZjYXQNiSdY.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s current position illustrated in NASA&#8217;s Eyes on the Solar System. (Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)<\/p>\n<p id=\"7bdd584d-5120-4ba8-b5a3-c3136fab9696\">As of 12 p.m. ET today (Dec. 17), Comet 3I\/ATLAS is about 166.9 million miles (268.6 million kilometers) from the Earth and closing, ahead of its closest approach on Dec. 19.<\/p>\n<p>You can track comet 3I\/ATLAS yourself with the help of NASA&#8217;s <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/comets\/3i-atlas\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">Eyes On The Solar System<\/a> webpage, which has a &#8220;Distance Tool&#8221; that allows you to calculate the separation between the comet and any other solar system object included in the simulation.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T15:59:41.006Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-how-to-watch-the-comet-3i-atlas-earth-flyby\"\/>How to watch the comet 3I\/ATLAS Earth flyby<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" alt=\"graphic showing comet 3I\/ATLAS on a laptop screen against a background of stars\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FjYzpZ4Q9nnWmrbw93P4Mm.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>See 3I\/ATLAS make a close pass of Earth as it passes through the constellation Leo on Dec. 19. (Image credit: Comet inset image &#8211; Gianluca Masi\/Virtual Telescope Project. Graphic made in Canva Pro)<\/p>\n<p id=\"67ef9ace-98a3-4a01-a867-88384fabfa9d\">The interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS will make its closest pass by Earth on Dec. 19, and you&#8217;ll be able to watch its approach live online, but you&#8217;ll need to tune a bit earlier than you&#8217;d think.<\/p>\n<p>Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">will host a free livestream<\/a> of comet 3I\/ATLAS on <strong>Thursday, Dec. 18, at 11 p.m. EST Dec. 18 (0400 GMT on Dec. 19)<\/strong>, weather permitting. You can <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">watch the livestream here on Space.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Masi&#8217;s livestream will run through comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s closest approach at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT), but will depend on good weather from his telescope&#8217;s observing site.<\/p>\n<p>The comet is too faint to be seen with the naked eye and will be challenging even for small backyard telescopes. Under dark skies, observers with a telescope of 8 inches or larger may be able to spot it as a faint, fuzzy patch of light. <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/watch-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-make-its-closest-approach-to-earth-in-free-livestream-on-dec-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read how to watch the comet 3I\/ATLAS flyby live online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T15:01:31.241Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-who-discovered-comet-3i-atlas\"\/>Who discovered Comet 3I\/ATLAS?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/o6kYSJ8bNGev6K3KLV4XRf.jpg\" alt=\"Two photos with the one on the left of a man wearing a green long-sleeved shirt and the image on the right a pixelated picture of 3I\/ATLAS as a ball of yellow light with green and blue light emanating from it outwards.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/o6kYSJ8bNGev6K3KLV4XRf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/o6kYSJ8bNGev6K3KLV4XRf.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: ATLAS project\/Gemini North Obervatory\/Shadow the Scientists)<\/p>\n<p id=\"d881921d-4c01-4199-bbca-fcbf53c864d3\">If you&#8217;ve been as captivated as us here at Space.com by comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s trip through the solar system, you might find yourself wondering exactly how it was discovered. So did we, which is why our own Kenna Hughes-Castleberry took it upon herself to find out \u200a\u2014\u200a and the result was eye-opening!<\/p>\n<p>What seemed like a normal July night ended up making history when astronomer Larry Denneau at the University of Hawaii&#8217;s Institute for Astronomy discovered a new moving object while scrolling through data from ATLAS \u2014 the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/nasa-upgrades-atlas-system\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/nasa-upgrades-atlas-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System<\/a>.&#8221;I was the person reviewing at the time that 3I popped out of the pipeline,&#8221; Denneau told Space.com &#8220;And at the time, it looked like a completely garden variety new Near Earth Object.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-wasnt-supposed-to-be-there-meet-the-astronomer-who-discovered-it\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-wasnt-supposed-to-be-there-meet-the-astronomer-who-discovered-it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full story behind the discovery of comet 3I\/ATLAS here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T13:02:25.305Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-comet-3i-atlas-an-early-christmas-gift-for-scientists\"\/>Comet 3I\/ATLAS: An early Christmas gift for scientists<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.23%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PkXAXYg5wh5EwxQxzyHZsh.jpg\" alt=\"A simulation of the solar system showing the trajectory of 3I\/ATLAS flying beyond the orbits of Earth, Mars, Mercury and Venus\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PkXAXYg5wh5EwxQxzyHZsh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PkXAXYg5wh5EwxQxzyHZsh.jpg\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PkXAXYg5wh5EwxQxzyHZsh.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\"><\/p>\n<p>3I\/ATLAS is currently racing away from the sun towards interstellar space. (Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)<\/p>\n<p id=\"5a0322ce-daa5-446f-881e-43280e8a017c\">When 3I\/ATLAS is closest to Earth on Dec. 19, all the features that we are looking for will be easier to detect with our telescopes and it has scientists as eager as kids on Christmas.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comet 3I\/ATLAS<\/a> is the third large interstellar visitor (an asteroid or a comet) known to have passed through our solar system from beyond our solar system. By studying it closely, astronomers hope to learn more about other celestial objects through telescope observations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It has since been careening through the interstellar medium of the<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/19915-milky-way-galaxy.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/19915-milky-way-galaxy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Milky Way<\/a> galaxy for billions of years,&#8221; Darryl Z. Seligman, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University, wrote in an op-ed. &#8220;And we get front-row seats to watch as it gets close to our sun, for what is almost surely the first time it has ever gotten close to a star&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/why-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-close-earth-approach-is-an-early-christmas-gift-for-astronomers\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/why-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-close-earth-approach-is-an-early-christmas-gift-for-astronomers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full op-ed on the comet&#8217;s Earth flyby here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>2025-12-17T11:58:04.035Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-comet-3i-atlas-has-last-hurrah-this-week\"\/>Comet 3I\/ATLAS has last hurrah this week<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/854Yh3ffK7V3QSav3mwuGm.jpg\" alt=\"Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS on the right glows white and surrounded by a blue haze. on the left is an image of Earth from space.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/854Yh3ffK7V3QSav3mwuGm.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/854Yh3ffK7V3QSav3mwuGm.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: 3I\/ATLAS inset (NASA, ESA, STScI, D. Jewitt (UCLA). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)). Graphic created in Canva Pro.)<\/p>\n<p id=\"1db87f64-56b2-4a8f-b908-b8a5cbd49d52\">Good morning, Space Fans! As of today, we are T-2 days until the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/new-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-everything-we-know-about-the-rare-cosmic-visitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS <\/a>makes its closest approach to Earth and then we&#8217;ll have to say our goodbyes.<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not you&#8217;re in Team Comet or Team &#8220;<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/interstellar-invader-comet-3i-atlas-is-still-full-of-surprises-an-unexpected-brightening-has-scientists-baffled\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/astronomy\/comets\/interstellar-invader-comet-3i-atlas-is-still-full-of-surprises-an-unexpected-brightening-has-scientists-baffled\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Could It Be A Spaceship<\/a>?&#8221; 3I\/ATLAS has dominated the comet conversation since its discovery on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. On Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, the comet will be at its closest to Earth at a range of roughly 168 million miles (270 million kilometers) before heading out of our <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/16080-solar-system-planets.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/16080-solar-system-planets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solar system<\/a> for good.<\/p>\n<p>Over the next two days, we&#8217;ll chronicle comet 3I\/ATLAS&#8217;s Earth flyby, and revisit its passage through our solar system \u2014 and its legacy.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/16080-solar-system-planets.html\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/16080-solar-system-planets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read our full preview of the comet&#8217;s Earth flyby<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" alt=\"Tariq Malik\"   class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tariq Malik<\/p>\n<p>Space.com Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n<p>Please follow our <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.space.com\/41418-about-us.html#section-community-guidelines&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\">community guidelines<\/a>.&#8221;&gt;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<p>Logout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2025-12-19T06:07:53.455Z Did you see it? Interstellar comet 3I\/ATLAS has just zoomed past Earth! A deep image of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":634028,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3844],"tags":[70,413,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-641773","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-space","8":"tag-science","9":"tag-space","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115745023995986830","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=641773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/634028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=641773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=641773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=641773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}