Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is poised to make its closest approach to the Sun this Wednesday, October 29, at approximately 11:47 Universal Time (UT). According to Universe Today, the comet will come within about 1.36 astronomical units of the Sun, just beyond Earth’s orbital distance.
NASA has indicated that 3I/ATLAS will swing just inside Mars’ orbit as it reaches perihelion, the point at which it is closest to the Sun, around October 30, 2025. At that time, it will be located about 1.4 au from the Sun, translating to roughly 130 million miles or 210 million kilometers.
Due to its positioning almost directly opposite Earth on the far side of the Sun, scientists believe the comet will not be visible from our planet until sometime in November.
3I/ATLAS holds the distinction of being only the third known visitor from beyond our solar system. Its classification as an interstellar object stems from its hyperbolic orbit, which indicates that it will not return to the Sun. Analysis of its trajectory reveals that the comet originated from deep interstellar space.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/science/news/3iatlas-interstellar-comet-live-tracker-how-to-see-it-when-it-peaks-11761747459563.html
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Publish Date: 2025-10-30 01:13:00
