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Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Closest Earth Approach This December
3I/ATLAS passes Earth at 1.8 AU on Dec. 19, offering astronomers a rare chance to study its unusual carbon monoxide-rich composition and interstellar origins.
- On Dec. 19, 3I/ATLAS will make its closest pass, coming within 167 million miles of Earth.
- Astronomers say 3I/ATLAS likely formed in a protoplanetary disk and was most likely ejected by a giant exoplanet, then traveled billions of years through the interstellar medium on a hyperbolic orbit.
- Space telescopes including JWST and Hubble have observed the comet, with Hubble re-observing it on Nov. 30, 2025, after its discovery by NASA's ATLAS in July.
- You'll be able to glimpse 3I/ATLAS with a small telescope or very powerful binoculars, and at closest approach, features and ice signatures will be easier to detect with telescopes.
- The encounter offers astronomers a rare comparison of planet formation, as findings that 3I/ATLAS formed much farther out could imply solar system uniqueness or common distant comet ejection.
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This week comet 3I/ATLAS will have its maximum approach to Earth, that is, its closest point to our Earth...
·Chile
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Professor who says space object 3I/ATLAS may have ‘thrusters’ calls out experts for dismissing theories
When 3I/ATLAS was first spotted in July by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), the world was excited. The comet is the third known interstellar visitor recorded (something which originated outside our solar system) since 1I/Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). However, it sparked further curiosity as it has also defied the usual behaviour of a comet — which has led to some wild theories about aliens…(Picture: NASA/NASA/A…
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources70
Leaning Left16Leaning Right9Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Center
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
48% Center
L 33%
C 48%
R 19%
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