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ScienceJune 4, 2026

3I/ATLAS: The Interstellar Comet Explained

3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object observed passing through our solar system, and new observations keep the comet in science searches.

By Sarah Patel/Data Reporter

What 3I/ATLAS is

3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet first reported in 2025 by the ATLAS survey. Scientists have used spacecraft and telescopes to observe it as it travels out of the solar system.

Why it matters

Interstellar objects are rare visitors from outside our solar system. Each one gives scientists a chance to compare material from another star system with comets formed closer to home.

What to know now

NASA says the comet does not pose a threat to Earth. The interest is scientific: its path, composition, images, and what it can teach researchers about objects that formed elsewhere in the galaxy.

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