According to NASA, Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered passing through our celestial neighborhood. Scientists have categorized this comet as interstellar because of the shape of its orbital path.
Astronomers have made it clear that there is no threat to Earth, and it will remain far away from us. But with a little research, astronomers have found that the closest it will come to Earth is about 1.8 astronomical units (about 170 million miles away).
With a telescope, you can go outside and see 3I/ATLAS. It has been in orbit since September 2025, but only when it passes by the sun can you see it. It will reappear on the other side of the sun by December of 2025, allowing astronomers to do more research with a better view.
You may be asking yourself, “Where did it come from?” The answer to that is simple but complex. 3I/ATLAS formed in another star system and was strangely ejected into interstellar space, which is the space between the stars. It has been around for millions or even possibly billions of years. Only recently has it entered our solar system.
It has been reported that the rare comet is moving very fast at a speed of 137,000 miles per hour. As it gets closer to the sun, the speed will increase even more. But, the size of this comet is even more intimidating. In diameter, it is no less than 1,444 feet and no greater than 3.5 miles. It is now the third known interstellar object to be discovered in the solar system. The first was found in 2017, Oumuamua, and the second was 2I/Borisov, which was discovered in 2019.
There are many rumors involving this comet. Some people believe that it will hit Earth in 6 weeks and usher in the end times when Jesus will return, but as the Bible says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Mathew 25:13). Some people are very scared, while others think a collision is an impossibility given its trajectory. In addition, 3I/ATLAS has so many unusual properties that some speculate it could be an alien artifact. Most, however, believe it is just a natural but rare space object.
