Tomorrow, December 19, the interstellar comet 3I / ATLAS reaches its closest approach to Earth. ☄️ This visitor comes from beyond our solar system, traveling through space for millions of years before briefly passing our planet. #3IATLAS #nature #space #astronomy #NASA #comet #universe | Science and Astronomy

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered passing through our neighborhood. ☄ Track its current and future position using our "Eyes on the Solar System" interactive. Here it is passing near Mars in October: go.nasa.gov/4goaV2t All about Comet 3I/ATLAS and NASA's ongoing observations: science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/3i-atlas/ | NASA Solar System Exploration

Comet 3I/ATLAS has officially crossed into Saturn’s orbit, marking a major moment in deep-space exploration. As this interstellar visitor continues its journey through our solar system, scientists are closely studying its unusual composition and trajectory. Unlike typical comets formed within our cosmic neighborhood, 3I/ATLAS originated from far beyond, carrying chemical signatures that may reveal clues about distant star systems. Each new observation helps researchers understand how interstella