Comet 3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is the third known interstellar object to enter our Solar System. It was first observed by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on July 1, 2025. This is why the comet has 'ATLAS' in its name. '3I' is for the third observed interstellar (I) object to stumble into our solar system.
On 2025-12-10 00:00:00, comet ATLAS (C/2025 N1) (aka 3I/ATLAS) is predicted to sit at 11 28 24.51 +03 24 05.5 (ICRF). It is moving across the sky at -155.612″ h⁻¹ in right-ascension and 55.21059″ h⁻¹ in declination while shining at an estimated magnitude of 15.196 with 93.74191% of its coma illuminated. Light from the comet takes 15.22507579 minutes to reach Earth while it sits 86.7647 degrees away from the Sun. It is currently located in the Leo constellation.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is just days away from its closest approach to Earth—latest coordinates and viewing tips
The comet's closest approach to Earth will occur on Friday, December 19, 2025, when it will pass at a distance of approximately 167 million miles.
11 hours ago
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS appears to be covered in erupting 'icy volcanoes,' scientists say
A study has also concluded that the interior of 3I/ATLAS is rich in metal, which could challenge our current understanding of comet formation.
5 days ago
NASA's Hubble captures new view of 3I/ATLAS as ESA’s Juice spots heightened comet activity
The Hubble captured the image on November 30, while Juice caught a glimpse of the interstellar visitor shortly after perihelion.
5 days ago
3I/ATLAS's anti-tail pointing toward the Sun may be created by a swarm of objects, says Harvard astronomer
Avi Loeb's hypothesis follows the reasoning that this tail stretches tens of thousands of miles and is bright enough to show up in stacked telescopic images.
7 days ago
Comet 3I/ATLAS's closest approach: NASA’s December 2025 skywatching tips
With the interstellar visitor headed for its closest approach to our home planet, NASA has advised people on how to best observe the comet 3I/ATLAS.
Dec 2, 2025
In new 3I/ATLAS image, two glowing ion tails and a faint anti-tail stun the internet
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb thinks that the nature of the two tails implies a mass loss that is not visible in 3I/ATLAS.
Nov 26, 2025
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to make its closest approach to Earth soon—where is it now?
The object is expected to make its closest approach on December 19, 2025, passing by at a distance of approximately 167 million miles.
Nov 24, 2025
Astronomers capture the 'best-yet color image' of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
Amateur astronomers Michael Jäger and Gerald Rhemann used a standard 12-inch telescope and a specialized camera to capture the extraordinary color image.
Nov 24, 2025
Counting the comets: 2025’s discovery tally so far
Comet 3I/ATLAS might have stolen all the headlines, but it's far from the only comet that has been discovered this year.
Nov 22, 2025
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb criticizes NASA’s big 3I/ATLAS reveal: 'Boring messages'
The Harvard astrophysicist seems unimpressed with the revelations made by NASA, as he wanted the space agency to answer more questions.
Nov 20, 2025
NASA says 3I/ATLAS is 'not a danger to Earth' after revealing unseen images
NASA released brand-new images of comet 3I/ATLAS from its array of spacecraft. These are visuals that were previously kept under wraps because of the government shutdown.
Nov 20, 2025
Comet 3I/ATLAS is in the Virgo constellation—here's how you can locate it
The closest approach of comet 3I/ATLAS to Earth will happen on Friday, 19 December 2025, at a distance of 1.797478 Astronomical Units.
Nov 4, 2025
Astronomers stunned as interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS unexpectedly turns blue and bright near the Sun
Observations were maintained using imagery from solar imagers on the STEREO-A, SOHO, and GOES-19 missions near the Sun.
Nov 3, 2025
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is visible again after perihelion, right on its predicted trajectory
PUNCH satellites secured the initial images of the comet, which had just emerged from behind the Sun.
Nov 3, 2025
Where is interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS now: Current visibility and position on November 3
Currently presenting a faint magnitude of 14.7, Comet 3I/ATLAS is so distant that its light requires nearly 19 minutes to reach Earth.
Nov 3, 2025
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb calls on NASA to release scientific data on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
Four weeks after its acquisition on October 2–3, 2025, the vital MRO HiRISE data remains inaccessible to researchers.
Nov 3, 2025
NASA report detects first signs of non-gravitational acceleration in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS near perihelion
JPL navigation engineer Dr. Davide Farnocchia compiled the data that captured the phenomenon as the comet reached perihelion.
Oct 31, 2025
Harvard astronomer says 8 key anomalies suggest comet 3I/ATLAS may have a 30% chance of being an alien technology
NASA, on the other hand, continues to assert that 3I/ATLAS is a comet of natural origin.
Oct 30, 2025
Comet 3I/ATLAS will re-emerge from solar glare in November, faint but visible to limited space telescopes
The highly anticipated interstellar comet is currently invisible from Earth and completely hidden by the Sun's glare.
Oct 30, 2025
3I/ATLAS reaches perihelion—here's when it will be visible from Earth again
Due to the opposing perihelion alignment, the comet won't be generally visible until November, emerging low above the horizon at dawn.
Oct 29, 2025