NASA Tracks Speeding Interstellar Comet
NASA has confirmed the discovery of a rare interstellar comet racing through our solar system, offering a thrilling glimpse into deep space origins. Detected by the Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week, the comet—now officially named 3I/Atlas—marks only the third known visitor from another star system. Luckily, NASA says it poses no threat to Earth.
What We Know About 3I/Atlas So Far
Right now, the icy object is about 416 million miles from the sun, hanging near Jupiter. It’s moving fast—37 miles per second—and heading inward. Despite its speed, the comet will only get as close as 150 million miles to Earth in late October, passing between Mars and our planet. That’s far enough to stay safe, yet close enough to study.
Why This Comet Is a Big Deal
According to NASA’s Paul Chodas, this mysterious snowball has likely traveled for hundreds of millions—maybe even billions—of years. Because of its extreme distance and direction, no one knows which star it came from. Still, its unusual speed and trajectory suggest it may have originated near the center of the Milky Way.
Astronomers across the globe are tracking it intensely. So far, they’ve logged over 100 observations since July 1. Early images show a glowing tail and a cloud of gas—classic signs of a comet heating up as it nears the sun.
What Makes 3I/Atlas Different?
Unlike previous interstellar objects—like the 2017 “Oumuamua” and the 2019 Borisov comet—this one is bigger and faster. It’s also coming from a different direction, making it harder to predict and all the more intriguing.
Chodas explains: “We’ve expected interstellar visitors for decades. Now we’re finally seeing them, and each one teaches us more.”
When Can You See It?
If skies are clear, the comet should be visible by telescope through September. After it swings behind the sun in October, it could reappear in December on the other side. So, keep those lenses pointed skyward—you might just spot a messenger from another world.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on rare space events, skywatching tips, and NASA discoveries.
