3I-Atlas Closest to Earth on 19 December 2025 danger of hitting Earth
3I-Atlas story so far
On July 1, the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, first reported observations of a comet that originated from interstellar space. Arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, the interstellar comet has been officially named 3I/ATLAS. It is currently located about 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) away.
This diagram shows the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. It will make its closest approach to the Sun in October.
It is currently about 4.5 au (about 416 million miles or 670 million km) from the Sun. 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest approach to the Sun around Oct. 30, at a distance of 1.4 au (about 130 million miles or 210 million km) — just inside the orbit of Mars.
3I-Atlas Closest to Earth on 19 December 2025 danger of hitting Earth
Although the trajectory of 3I/ATLAS brought it just inside the orbit of Mars, it is now heading outbound from the Sun and won’t come close to Earth at all. At its closest, the comet will still be very far away from our planet, at nearly twice the distance of the Sun: On Dec. 19, 2025, 3I/ATLAS will be about 1.8 astronomical units (about 170 million miles, or 270 million kilometers) from Earth.(as per NASA website).
Chance to investigate interstellar objects
The interstellar comet’s size and physical properties are being investigated by astronomers around the world.
Compiled by
Ms Naresh kuwar