Comet 3I/ATLAS - A Visitor from Another Star

Comet 3I/ATLAS came from outside our solar system. It traveled billions of years to reach us. Scientists are watching closely.

This is just the third object from another star system we've ever seen. The first was Oumuamua in 2017. Now we have 3I/ATLAS.

[{"selector":"#anim-f3289e25-f373-4cdd-90fb-c29c8c899484 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(24.746093596760275%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

New pictures show the comet glowing green and getting brighter. The green color comes from carbon gas released as it heats up.

[{"selector":"#anim-46273506-5c5f-4803-a54e-5901a15d7ce8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories captured stunning images. The comet has two tails streaming behind it through space.

[{"selector":"#anim-5bd0cafd-4dd8-4a48-adca-1bd35a33780d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.468749857213293%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The comet passes closest to Earth on December 19. It will be 167 million miles away. That's safe - almost twice the sun's distance.

[{"selector":"#anim-53ea9fdc-8480-4561-a15f-ed98e5c93862 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Special X-ray telescopes revealed gases regular cameras can't see. Scientists found water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other molecules.

[{"selector":"#anim-d50b6ed2-66a2-4190-af07-901cf5d90aa2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.807638872910302%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

After passing Earth, the comet exits our solar system forever. Scientists will watch for surprise bursts before it disappears.

[{"selector":"#anim-6bcfad69-cc5d-4761-a802-d63d572a65f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.868525640762189%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Studying 3I/ATLAS helps us understand other parts of the galaxy. It formed near a different star billions of years ago.

[{"selector":"#anim-396dbf3a-2d3c-4630-8ab0-1cbd57230397 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.719992159395645%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]