Rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS nears Earth in historic flyby

A rare interstellar visitor, comet 3I/ATLAS, will soon make its closest pass by Earth. Discovered on 1 July, it remains under close observation by astronomers worldwide. The comet’s unusual properties have sparked scientific interest. Comet 3I/ATLAS was first spotted earlier this year. It is one of only a handful of known objects to enter our solar system from interstellar space. Researchers continue to study its behaviour, which has at times seemed unpredictable.

The comet will come nearest to Earth on 19 December, at a safe distance of 269 million kilometres. Despite its proximity, it will not be bright enough to see without professional equipment. Scientists have confirmed it poses no danger to our planet.

Radio signals from the comet were recently detected in the decimetre range, at frequencies of 1665–1667 megahertz. Nathan Eismont, a senior researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained these emissions come from water molecules breaking apart under sunlight. He also confirmed the signals prove the comet’s natural origin. Astronomers will keep tracking 3I/ATLAS as it moves through the solar system. The data collected so far confirms its interstellar nature and rules out any artificial source. The comet’s journey offers a rare chance to study an object from beyond our own star system.