Earthbound Mysterious Object Approaching: Experts Warn of Possible Extraterrestrial Encounter in November
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known object of its kind to pass through our cosmic neighbourhood, is creating a stir among astronomers. This comet-like body, first detected on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, is expected to offer a unique observational opportunity in the coming months.
According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS is moving towards the inner solar system at over 130,000 miles per hour, aligning with interstellar velocity norms rather than powered propulsion. High-resolution observations from the Hubble Space Telescope support NASA's belief that the object is a comet-like body originating from outside our solar system.
As 3I/ATLAS approaches, it is expected to reappear in December, providing a fresh window for astronomers to study this celestial visitor. The perihelion, the point at which it comes closest to the Sun, is expected around October 30. By late November or early December, the object will reach its nearest distance from Earth, approximately 1.8 astronomical units (170 million miles).
NASA is coordinating observations across a fleet of instruments, including Webb, SPHEREx, and Mars rovers, to gather data before the object becomes too close to the Sun to observe safely. The agency's Eyes on the Solar System platform provides a live, interactive map of 3I/ATLAS's trajectory through the inner planets.
The comet is exhibiting typical cometary behaviour, with NASA confirming that it is actively releasing gas and dust, forming a cometary coma. Dr. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina, explains that hyperbolic comets are not inherently alien but reflect the chaotic mechanics of star systems ejecting icy debris.
A peer-reviewed study proposes that the object's unusual orbital dynamics warrant deeper consideration. The authors concede that the most probable explanation is a natural, cometary one, but argue that the object's behaviour justifies ongoing scrutiny. The researcher Avi Loeb, who has authored a study about 3I/ATLAS, suggests that the object offers similar oddities to a previous interstellar object, but on a larger, faster scale.
Measurements from August 2025 suggest that the object's core ranges between 440 meters and 5.6 kilometers in diameter. The study highlights anomalies such as a hyperbolic trajectory, low retrograde orbital tilt, close flybys of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, and the potential for a reverse Solar Oberth maneuver.
For those interested in tracking 3I/ATLAS's journey, a live, interactive map of its trajectory is available here. As we await its reappearance, the scientific community looks forward to the wealth of data that will be gathered about this interstellar visitor.
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