Experts Weigh In: Is Comet 3I/Atlas a Potential Threat?

Fast Summary:

• On July 1, 2025, the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile discovered comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object observed passing through our solar system.
• Previous interstellar objects include 1I/’Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/BORISOV (2019).
• The icy composition of this comet is similar to that of 2I/BORISOV.Scientists are rushing to study it before its predicted exit from our solar system by the end of the year.
• 3I/ATLAS will approach closest to the Sun in October,possibly forming a significant tail of vapor and dust as its ice melts. Its trajectory will also pass Mars’ orbit; potential interactions there remain unknown but likely uneventful.
• NASA confirmed that the comet poses no threat to Earth and will pass at least 170 million miles away from our planet. It travels at a speed of approximately 137,000 miles per hour (61 km/s).
• Estimated age: around seven billion years old-potentially one of humanity’s oldest observed comets originating from a pre-solar region in the galaxy.
• Though primarily identified as an interstellar comet by scientists, some speculative theories propose it might be an alien probe scanning Earth-a claim made notably by Harvard-based astrophysicist Abraham Loeb in reference to similar objects like Oumuamua.

!Large comet with glowing trail
!Nasa logo at Kennedy Space Center

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