3rd Interstellar (maybe) comet heading this way

[Murrmurr]

It's called 3I-Atlas (3 for 3rd, I for interstellar), it's on a unique trajectory, and it's behaving very strangely in that, unlike any comet seen before, 3I-Atlas will pass very close to Mars, Jupiter, and Earth, and it appears to be on a path that will take it behind our sun in Oct or Nov. When it emerges, it will be near enough to Earth to be seen with most amateur telescopes.

Scientists are so excited, several papers have already been written about it (and published). Some argue that it is not a comet, a couple think it could be technological, not natural, others are not sure what it is, and more than a few scientists are adamant that we should be taking measures now in case it heads directly toward Earth after it emerges from behind our sun, when it will be too late.

This thing is larger than the meteor that wiped out a lot of dinosaurs and is traveling at an incredible speed. Faster than any object we've seen before.

Here's one scientist who says it doesn't look like a comet, be open to it being technological, and brace for impact (a fascinating 20 min video):

Here's Anton Petrov's 3rd update about it, still referring to it as a comet (13.29 min):

 

[outlander]

I'll get my tin foil hat ready

 

[MaidMarian]

This sounds like the movie “Melancholia”

 

[Murrmurr]

This sounds like the movie “Melancholia”

Made me think of the movie Don't Look Up, about two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization, and no one listens.

 

[outlander]

This sounds like the movie “Melancholia”

Ok, had to look that one up. Now look what you did, I'm going to have to watch it

 

[Murrmurr]

This object that's hurtling toward Earth is called 3I/ATLAS because it's the 3rd interstellar object (that's the number 3 + capital letter i) to be discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS.

(Don't be scared by the words "terrestrial-impact last alert" - 3I/ATLAS is not expected to impact the Earth. The closest it's expected to get is about 167 million miles, or 269 million km away, and not til sometime in mid-December.)

This object has scientists excited for numerous reasons:
(1) It's from another galaxy (we don't know which one), and (2) it's traveling exceptionally fast (3) on an unusual trajectory.
So far, (4) not all observers are certain it's a comet even though it has a tail.
That's because (5) the tail appears to be unusually short and (6) is out-gassing toward our sun instead of away from it, like every other comet we've observed.
Also unusual is (7) it does not look like an icy tail, but a dusty, gassy one, which (8) contains a massive amount of carbon dioxide instead of carbon monoxide like every other comet we've observed. But it is, after all, interstellar and we don't know it's origin.
Lastly, (9) it's expected to approach and pass by no fewer that 3 of our solar system's planets.

Anyway, I'm going to be posting updated observations of 3I/ATLAS on this thread.

I'll post videos from NASA and various astronomers and physicists that I come across, but also from channels like The Angry Astronaut and others who are educated about such things, but not completely close-minded about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

I'll start with The Angry Astronaut, posted today, 8/31/25.

 

[Murrmurr]

Anyone else who's interested can post videos, too! (and articles)

 

[Llynn]

The tail facing the Sun could indicate they are slamming on the brakes. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Lewkat]

Wow, thanks for posting this, Frank. I am so interested in this stuff, I'll be keep close tabs on it from here on.

 

[Murrmurr]

Wow, thanks for posting this, Frank. I am so interested in this stuff, I'll be keep close tabs on it from here on.

Awesome. I'll post an update as often as I can...that'll be when I find a video that wasn't hastily pooped out by some hack with an AI ap. There's a slew of those on YouTube.

This guy's no hack...

 

[Lewkat]

I spend a great deal of time contemplating what so many of the phenomena occurring in space could mean. I love the many theories I have read and attempt to come up with some of my own.

Of course, I am not a professional in this area, but it fascinates me no end.

My son and I often tackle different, "what ifs" in our discussions, and we have a great time. I'll have to clue him into these videos, Frank.

 

[MoBeans]

Well, the way this decade is going so far, an alien invasion would be par for the course.

 

[Murrmurr]

Well, the way this decade is going so far, an alien invasion would be par for the course.

Imagine the chaos. Political parties rushing to either give them voting rights, or block them, powerful nation's military forces fighting over their technology, Coca-Cola's new slogan "#1 choice of Aliens" and a new flavor named after their planet, Alien Pride t-shirts and flags...

 

[MoBeans]

Imagine the chaos. Political parties rushing to either give them voting rights, or block them, powerful nation's military forces fighting over their technology, Coca-Cola's new slogan "#1 choice of Aliens" and a new flavor named after their planet, Alien Pride t-shirts and flags...

ICE would round them up and ship them off to a planet they have never seen before.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I really like Neil's science.